Lucky 15 Tips: Minehead maestro can turn back the clock

Time for Thursday's Lucky 15 tips, dear reader, and how abut breaking some new ground? For the first time in the column's illustrious (?) history we're Devon-bound, and to the beautiful National Hunt oasis that is Newton Abbot.

I've been just once - many moons ago - and it goes without saying that the part of the world it's situated in is beyond a delight. With Cornwall not far away too it must be a constant thrill to call that neck of the woods home. Not too many runners, but I'm sure the contests will be highly competitive. Sean and James Bowen are here, Sam Twiston-Davies, Brendan Powell - if the sun just happens to be shining too, sheer bliss.

Horse Racing Odds

Today's Horse Races

14:45 - Iris Des Issards @ 6/5

Conditional jockeys are to the fore here, in a Class 5 handicap hurdle over 2m 5.5f.

The selection is Iris Des Issards who must shoulder topweight of 12st but has the benefit of the red-hot Callum Pritchard on top (33% strike-rate in the last fortnight).

The seven-year-old French-bred gelding has had pretty much a race a month since November. He remains a maiden after 10 runs under rules, but the mere fact that he's top of the shop in the handicap reminds us that the opposition isn't terrifying.

Last time out three weeks ago he ran ok at Exeter over this trip, giving best late in the piece in a slightly higher grade. He comes out on top in Racing Post ratings and this might be an opportune moment to break his duck for trainer Kayley Woollacott and the accomplished Pritchard, who helpfully has ridden the horse before.

15:20 - Merry Shuil @ 7/4

'Gorgeous' Gavin Sheehan's only booked ride on the card and trainer Jennie Candlish's sole runner, from her Staffordshire base.

Merry Shuil is a seven-year-old mare by Mahler, a former top stayer for Ballydoyle and an excellent sire of National Hunt horses. She's had just two career starts, a bumper when trained in Ireland around 15 months ago, and a maiden hurdle at Carlisle after joining Jennie in February.

She showed some promise last time, beaten just over 8l, and this doesn't look too onerous. Having said that there's a Bowen family enterprise, Mighty Fleur, that's sure to be popular but I'm happy to side with Merry Shuil in an interesting little contest.

15:55 - Musique De Fee @ 2/1

Class 4 handicap hurdle now, for stayers.

Another select field light on numbers but not remotely short of interest. Georgina Nicholls trains this six-year-old Jukebox Jury mare, and Joshua Bryan will be doing the steering.

Musique De Fee is in a rich vein of form, having scored the last twice at Hereford and latterly three weeks ago at Sedgefield. Her mark has duly risen from 91 to today's 109 as a consequence, but there was a degree of comfort about the last success off 102 and the 7lb hike may not be enough (fingers crossed) to stop her.

Bryan was on board last time and can continue making hay.

17:05 - Call Me Legend @ 5/2

A lucky last bumper heat to close proceedings, over just in excess of 2m.

My selection Call Me Legend is housed with at least one west country legend - Philip Hobbs, who trains these days with Johnson White, his former assistant of around 30 years standing, in Somerset. What tools he's been associated with in the past - names like Rooster Booster, the electric-heeled Champion Hurdler.

This five-year-old gelding by Milan has taken in three points, performing decently without uprooting any trees. This 2m 1f should be right up his street and Milan himself was a top-class Leger winner and has developed into a very good NH stallion.

Sean Houlihan takes the mount, his only one on the card (admittedly it's one not containing a whole host of runners), and I fancy his first bumper could be a winning one.

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 £105 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.

Horse Racing & Greyhound bets only. Excludes Virtual Racing. 5x odds on Lucky 63. 4x Odds Lucky 31. 3x Odds Lucky 15. All selections must run. Paid in cash if only 1 winner. T&Cs Apply.

Lucky 15 tips from Betfred Insights.