Thursday Lucky 15 Tips: There’ll be time enough for countin’

It's the opening day of the Aintree Grand National Festival, while jump racing also takes place at Taunton and Limerick. All-weather action at Southwell and Chelmsford completes Thursday's programme.

Plenty of interest will centre quite rightly around events taking place on Merseyside, so it's to Southwell we'll go for our Lucky 15 tips for Thursday.

13:55 Southwell - Be Here Now @ 15/8

Trainer Nigel Tinkler comes down from North Yorkshire with his in-form, three-year-old Oasis Dream gelding.

First run of 2024 was 19 days ago at Newcastle, and Be Here Now scored in the grade and at the trip, narrowly, under today's pilot Rowan Scott. He's up 4lb for that but it was a career-best, and given it was his first start at three there's every indication that he's firmly on the improve.

Southwell is a stiff track like Gosforth Park, and he can again pounce late when the turbo kicks in.

15:40 Southwell - Billiegee @ 6/1

This one ran in the grade at Wolves 27 days ago over a couple of furlongs less. It was a running-on career-best, beaten just over a length, and he stretches out now over 1m 3f.

Being by Arc hero Waldgeist the new trip should be no issue whatsoever, and trainer James Ferguson has booked the mighty Rossa Ryan, banging in the winners as per.

Nice little contest with a Richard Hughes inmate likely to head the market, but Road To Wembley is penalised and I'd rather take the promise upped in distance of Billiegee.

16:50 Southwell - El Borracho @ 11/2

The excellent Harry Russell rides the veteran nine-year-old stayer for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.

This one turns his hand to pretty much anything - flat, hurdles, fences - and he's been a prolific winner in his time. Reappears after a nice break and has gone well fresh in the past.

17:23 Southwell - Whenthedealinsdone @ 3/1

Cliff Lee rides this six-year-old for trainer Roger Teal.

Experienced 6f Class 5 sprinters, and Whenthedealinsdone returned from wind surgery in February. He didn't get competitive then, but last time it was an entirely different story.

In a higher grade than this the Dark Angel gelding finished in an eye-catching manner; and don't forget that he used to be rated 100 as recently as 18 months ago. He's off 75 today and I like the Cliff Lee booking - he's mustard.

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 £600 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.