Lucky 15 Tips: Shadwell could have another cracker on their hands

Day Two on the Roodee - and the G3 Ormonde Stakes is the highlight on a terrific seven-race programme that kicks in at 13:30.

Let's examine the card in greater detail and find four to hopefully do us proud during the course of the afternoon in leafy Cheshire. Mine's a large Pimms with extra cucumber ... and I can't help mentioning that we gave the first two winners yesterday (advised at 7/4 and 5/2).

Horse Racing Odds

Today's Horse Races

15:05 - Absurde @ 6/4

The Ormonde - around in its present form since 1936, and won by some good ones down the years - among them the likes of Teenoso, Blakeney and St Nicholas Abbey.

The class of 2025 includes Willie Mullins' admirable dual-purpose Fastnet Rock gelding Absurde, second in November's Melbourne Cup, similar in Cheltenham's County Hurdle at the Festival, and an easy winner of Plumpton's Sussex Champion Hurdle in April to help Willie in his bid, ultimately successful, to become UK Champion Trainer.

On official marks he's got about 6lb to find with Aidan O'Brien's likely favourite Illinois, but is evidently in fine fettle. Illinois hasn't seen a racecourse competitively for 215 days, and this might be a good time to take him on.

Willie's booked man of the moment Will Buick to do the steering, and I reckon he's got a fantastic chance.

15:40 - El Burhan @ 2/1

The legendary Shadwell silks have been carried to many a victory on the Roodee, and a three-year-old gelding by New Bay is their latest hopeful in this Class 2 handicap over 7.5f.

El Burhan will have the inestimable assistance of Jim Crowley in the plate, on what will be career spin number five. He's won two already - little novice heats at Yarmouth and Beverley; and when last seen in August on handicap debut ran a cracker at Goodwood in a nursery to finish third of 16, just 1.75l adrift.

That was off a mark of 90, and he's up 3lb for that terrific run. Big season could well be in store for this one, he had a gelding op at the start of the year, and is housed with the outstanding George Boughey at HQ.

Looks potentially like a serious talent to me.

16:10 - Liberty Coach @ 9/2

John and Sean Quinn train this four-year-old gelding in Norton, North Yorkshire, and their charge bids to improve upon his three-from-nine record in terms of career wins.

First trip to the unique contours of Chester for Liberty Coach, and we'll have to take it on trust that fingers crossed it's not too much of a shock! What he has got going for him big-time is that he tends to race prominently; and from the one stall he's magnificently placed to attempt perhaps to make all.

When last seen in November 2024 he was taking a Redcar handicap in a career-best performance off 83, and he's up to 87 today. However, in the last four months of last term his mark rose by 11lbs, emphasising his decidedly upwardly-mobile profile.

Reappearing now at four, there could be plenty of fun to be had for connections with this one - and where better to start than here, at this historic and picturesque venue.

16:45 - Way Of Stars @ 11/2

The Balding family have a great history here also, with father Ian, he of Mill Reef fame, always respected when sending runners from Kingsclere. Now son Andrew is at the helm and he appears to have a great chance of success with his three-year-old Sea The Moon gelding Way Of Stars.

Oisin Murphy has been secured to do the pushing and this one reappeared for the season with a highly satisfactory performance at Southwell 32 days ago, when having no luck in the run; eventually finishing third, beaten 3l.

That was off an opening handicap mark of 78, and he's been nudged up a pound courtesy of that last effort. Bit harsh perhaps, but without the interference he could have been a lot closer and might just be value for a bit more in the credit column.

If that's the case, and considering he's every opportunity to improve for that initial outing, his chance is frankly there for all to see.

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 £340 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.