Lucky 15 Tips: Competitive contests abound at Perth on Wednesday

Wednesday's cards offer us excellent variety, and I've plumped for a cracking afternoon's jumping action from Perth. Their six-race programme gets underway at 14:33 and Brian Hughes and Sean Bowen, champion jockeys past and present, are among those looking for winners.

Quick personal note, if you'll allow me. A simply wonderful innings came to a close yesterday with news that Harold 'Dickie' Bird, a fine cricketer in his own right and then an enduring, legendary umpire renowned the world over, had passed away aged 92. Hopelessly star-struck, I bumped into the great man at York racecourse a few years ago and asked if he'd honour me by posing for this photograph. Charm and good humour personified, he kindly obliged me. Don't meet your heroes? It was an absolute thrill. Rest easy Sir, and thank you.  

Horse Racing Odds

Fast Racing Results

15:43 - Whispering Hopes @ 7/2

A 2m handicap hurdle, and a qualifying race bearing the name of just about the greatest dual-purpose racehorse who ever looked through a bridle - the incomparable Rolls Royce assassin, Sea Pigeon.

I'm with a five-year-old mare making the trip from Gordon Elliott's base in County Meath - Whispering Hopes. She's yet to register in 15 attempts, jumps and flat, but the last twice at Sligo in August she was placed on both occasions and not beaten far.

Gordon loves taking on all-comers at Perth and with Sean Bowen engaged elsewhere Danny Gilligan comes over to ride. Fine chance.

16:15 - Whistle Stop Tour @ 3/1

Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore train this seven-year-old gelding, and Derek Fox is on top.

Whistle Stop Tour is making his first start since the end of April but seems to get up to speed pretty quickly after taking a break. He's four-from-12 under rules, and also has a bumper win to his name.

He's already comfortably a better chaser than he was hurdler and had a troubled passage in the Ultima at the Festival in March for which he was only a 12/1 shot. Could be a big season, and I'm fascinated to see how he gets on.

16:50 - Pescatorius @ 2/1

Inevitable that I'd be drawn to a Sean Bowen conveyance on the card, and Olly Murphy, almost equally inevitably, trains.

Pescatorius ran third at Fontwell 26 days ago, only beaten just over 2l, but in truth never really travelled. It's a quirky old track and it might just not have suited.

Previous efforts at Uttoxeter and Hexham were perfectly respectable and one hopes Olly will get the best out of the six-year-old Getaway gelding sooner rather than later.

He's only had the horse since June, from Harriet Dickin's yard, and this Class 5 handicap looks eminently winnable.

17.25 - Burgundy Man @ 9/2

The excellent Richie McLernon now, on board an R Mike Smith-trained eight-year-old Manduro gelding - Burgundy Man.

The selection is winless after 20 starts, but (aren't you relieved there was a 'but'), he has placed on each of his last five outings, and in career-best territory performance-wise.

He just missed out here 16 days ago (beaten a little over a length) at a trip four furlongs shorter than today, and gets 3m this afternoon which he's stayed perfectly well on more than one occasion in the past.

He gets Richie for the first time and that might just be the catalyst that unlocks a wee bit extra to get him over the line in first place.

Cracking, staying handicap hurdle.

One emphatic winner yesterday, a non-runner, and a couple of reverses - fingers crossed for better fortune today!

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 £350 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.