Lucky 15 Tips: ITV is at Ponte Carlo all the way

There are three race meetings taking place in Britain and Ireland on Sunday August 18, with cards at Tramore, Southwell and Pontefract.

We've picked out a Lucky 15 offering from four races at Pontefract, where the ITV4 cameras will be in town throughout the afternoon.

Horse Racing Odds

Today's Horse Races

16:15 Pontefract - The Cookstown Cafu @ 13/2

Kevin Ryan has slowly nursed The Cookstown Cafu back to form and he can earn a first success since last May in the mile handicap.

The Cookstown Cafu recorded his last victory off 6lb higher over this track and trip and shields an unbeaten record at the course after another success here in October 2022.

We know he likes it at Ponte and there was plenty of encouragement in his staying-on fifth over 7f at York recently as that trip is sharper than he ideally wants.

The handicapper has kindly dropped him 1lb for this slightly weaker contest and he makes significant appeal under Rowan Scott.

16:45 Pontefract - Miaharris @ 11/2

The Listed Flying Fillies’ Stakes looks a good opportunity for Miaharris to get her career back on track.

Owen Burrows is 1-2 at this course over the past five seasons, so it’s interesting he’s willing to send her on the long journey north, and this filly has been running well of late, shaping as if 7f was too far at Deauville last time after going close over 6f at Chantilly.

Returning to sprinting is just what the doctor ordered and the memory of her impressive last-to-first success on this weekend last year in a Listed race at Newbury remains in place.

After only seven starts, she is open to more improvement than the current standard setters in the line up. 

17:15 Pontefract - The Grand Visir @ 11/2 

The Grand Visir is knocking on the door and looks poised to produce another bold showing in this 2m1f handicap.

He showed plenty of his old spark to go down by less than a length in a Shergar Cup staying race last weekend, a performance which came quickly after a midfield finish in a marathon contest at Glorious Goodwood.

The 10-year-old is able to handle quick runs in succession and has dropped to a dangerous mark based on last season’s form, which includes an excellent fourth in the Doncaster Cup behind Trueshan.

Although he has limited experience at Pontefract, there is no reason he won’t relish the place given his appreciation for Ascot, which is also stiff and right-handed. 

18:15 Pontefract - Walbank @ 11/2

It was likely that Walbank would have needed his run at Goodwood 19 days ago on his first start in nearly six months and he can go three places better in this 5f handicap.

A smart juvenile two seasons ago, Walbank looked set to build on that promise when landing a good handicap at Meydan in January, a performance that prompted him to be sent off favourite for a Listed race back at that track the following month.

However, he wasn’t able to show his true form as he finished lame in his right-fore leg. He brings a class edge to this handicap if fully tuned up and will love the stiff 5f.

If you're playing take care, and as always, have fun.

This is an example of a Lucky 15. If you can improve upon my selections (of course you can), then go for it!

The odds can fluctuate between publishing our pieces and race-time. As a guide, a £0.50p win Lucky 15 on today's selections, at the prices, and assuming all four won, would return around £1,790 for your total £7.50 stake.

Fred, 'The Bonus King,' invented the 'Lucky' series of bets and their bonuses. My colleague Adam has set out all you need to know with this handy guide - take a look by clicking here.

Lucky 15 tips from Betfred Insights.