Lucky 15 Tips: Kempton under the lights on Murphy Wednesday

Polytrack action from Kempton will do very nicely on Wednesday, thank you, and as it's my first racing piece since last week I hope everyone is well, and had some richly-deserved fun over the festive period. Here's to a fab 2026, and lots of brilliant sport.
Oisin Murphy is among the jocks involved and the seven-race card kicks in at 17:00.
Lucky 15 Tips - Wednesday, January 7
Kempton
*Odds correct as of the time of publication
17:00 - Espona Bay @ 15/8
I'm a big fan of Oisin Murphy. He's a unique talent, brilliant horseman, has flirted with controversy shall we say on occasion, but has few peers in the saddle.
I'm hoping he's going to have a superb Wednesday late afternoon/early evening in Sunbury-on-Thames, and he can kick all that off with success on Michael Bell's Espona Bay in the opener.
This three-year-old gelded son of French Derby winner New Bay is still looking for a first racecourse triumph but has shown on at least four of his six starts to date that a little contest like this is within his compass.
He was gelded before his last run which was here 77 days ago, and he did well at this 6f trip in finishing second, beaten 1.5l, to a Boughey/Loughnane conveyance that was rattling up a three-timer. The winner is now rated 69.
Off 65 today, and after a nice break, he can prevail for a trainer who scored readily at Chelmsford a few days ago with Time Tested.
18:00 - Up The Anti @ 2/1
This four-year-old Holy Roman Emperor filly is three-from-17 lifetime, and hails from the Tony Carroll yard in Worcestershire. They've had four winners in the last four days and Up The Anti was successful when last seen 28 days ago, here at Kempton, over a furlong less than today's 7f trip.
Our selection is up 3lb, goes that extra furlong, AND pops up to a Class 5 for this - but gets Oisin Murphy in the plate for the first time. Formerly with Jack Jones, she's won over a mile previously so should have no issues whatsoever in stepping up.
Despite the hike in the weights, in the context of this little rise in class she carries the lovely racing weight of 8st 13lb, and last time achieved a career-best Racing Post rating.
Nicely drawn in the four box, and seems versatile in terms of tactics. Smashing little heat.
19:00 - Rajinoora @ 5/2
I backed this one at Chelmsford 27 days ago when last seen, and the four-year-old Mehmas filly Rajinoora ran a cracker in second, running on, beaten 1.5l.
The winner was scoring for the fourth time in its last five runs for in-form trainer Ian Williams, and the selection has been nudged up a couple of pounds given the quality of that performance in Essex.
Michael Bell once again trains, in Newmarket, and the man who rode the filly on her debut back in April once again has the riding assignment - five-time champion Oisin Murphy!
Rajinoora was returning from a break before that excellent last spin and should come on nicely for the outing. Prior to that in July she'd won at Epsom in a career-best, and replicated that level of form last time, both under Hector Crouch.
Murphy is away to the sunshine of South Africa in a few days for a big raceday at Kenilworth, and I'm hoping he'll be going with some winners under his belt from what looks to be a very promising book of rides.
19:30 - Bashful Boy @ 4/1
Oisin won't be taking this as at present he hasn't got a mount in it, but one who does is Rob Hornby, and he rides David Pipe's veteran 10-year-old gelding Bashful Boy.
This is a 2m Class 4 stayers' handicap and ten days ago at Southwell our selection ran second, beaten 3l, to one of today's rivals and the likely hot-pot Sax Appeal, from the Johnston's yard.
We're 5lb better off given the winner's penalty and we've run well here previously, including when second at the trip on December 10 in this grade, beaten just 1.75l.
This could and should suit better than Southwell and getting over a stone from the Middleham Moor raider he might just be able to register career win number nine from what will be 65 starts.
A great stable favourite I'm sure, and has been at the Pipe's Nicholashayne base since 2021. Race of the night for me; and my nap.
If all four of our selections won, today's notional 50p win Lucky 15, at the prices indicated (they can of course fluctuate), would return around £208 for a £7.50 total stake. If you can improve upon my selections (of course you can) - then go for it!
Lucky 15 tips with Betfred Insights.






















