Wednesday Lucky 15 Tips: There is nothing like a Galileo Dame

Chester's much-vaunted spring meeting starts on Wednesday May 8, and it's rather a given that our Lucky 15 tips will come from there for the duration of the three-day celebration. First race is at 13:30.

I've been lucky enough to have attended on many occasions, and when you marry the unique quirkiness of the course, plus the calibre of runners on show, it's unsurprising that it's so incredibly popular. Let's join in the fun.

13:30 - Beyond Borders @ 9/1

Ah, the Roodee. Chester's tight, ancient contours. A crowd within touching distance almost of the equine stars of a sensational show. Bring it on ...

The opener is a 6f Class 3 sprint for three-year-olds, and all the usual Chester rules apply - a low draw is gold dust. Beyond Borders is in the number one box, is trained by the brilliant Karl Burke, and stable jock Cliff Lee is in the plate.

He's got undoubted ability - three wins at two, and a progressive profile that began with an opening mark of 70, and sped right up to today's figure of 85. He's campaigned on turf and on the all-weather, and has priceless experience - this will be career start number ten.

Lee is operating at a strike rate of 27% over the past fortnight and in an ultra-competitive heat that plum draw can make all the difference.

14:35 - Kings Merchant @ 9/2

Another three-year-old Class 3 sprint (5f this time), and a horse once again who's drawn the coveted one stall - Kings Merchant.

More good news? Oisin Murphy has been booked by trainer Ed Bethell, and he took a Wolverhampton maiden 46 days ago in career-best fashion. He starts life as a handicapper off a mark of 75, and as a horse who can race prominently I'm hoping Murphy can perhaps make every post a winning one around these challenging, helter-skelter turns.

He's performed perfectly respectably on turf as well as sand, and this jockey booking screams to me 'big chance.'

15:05 - Galileo Dame (nap) @ 5/2

A classy Listed heat worth nearly £70k to the winner. Our selection travels over from the stable of 'Joey O,' the great Classic-winning pilot-turned-trainer Joseph O'Brien.

Dad Aidan fields a couple too, and notable among other rivals today are fillies trained by the Gosdens, Andrew Balding and Ralph Beckett. Lovely little contest, and though Galileo Dame doesn't at present hold a Betfred Oaks entry, should she be impressive here then connections could always consider supplementing her.

We know she's trained on, winning a Leopardstown maiden 28 days ago in fine fashion in deep ground. That was over 10f, and she's travelling around 300 yards further today, which really shouldn't be an issue especially on the advertised good ground.

The absolutely outstanding Dylan Browne McMonagle is in the saddle and this rates my nap selection of the afternoon.

15:40 - Hidden Law @ 9/4

A small but select field for the Chester Vase, a Group 3 over 1m 4+f. My selection Hidden Law represents the 2000 Guineas-winning team of Notable Speech (Charlie Appleby, Will Buick, Godolphin, and sire Dubawi).

He's another three-year-old who we know has wintered well - he sluiced up at Newbury 18 days ago over nearly this far, and certainly wasn't stopping at the business end in Berkshire.

He's in the Betfred Derby, and we'll know far more about the feasibility or otherwise of that target after this. Aidan saddles Grosvenor Square, who probably has stablemate Agenda to ensure there's a decent pace to aim for.

Juddmonte have a lovely Frankel colt (Cadogan Place) who when both were making their debuts last term narrowly defeated Hidden Law no less at Southwell.

The selection left that form miles behind on seasonal reappearance, and it's entirely possible that 'Cadogan' will do similar. A fantastic day's racing, and all that's left is for me to wish you good luck, 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 £0.25p each-way Lucky 15 on today's selections, at the prices, and assuming all four won, would return around £359 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.