It's been a while since we've published a Lucky 15 thread, but this will return on a weekend basis, as that is when the best racing is on.
Advised as an each-way Lucky 15
Washington Heights 9/2 (4pl) – Newmarket 2.55
This is a tricky race as we have some horses with proven Group 1 form, but aren't 100% to like the fast ground, and then we have some older horses who are rock-solid, and you know what you'll get from them. I've decided to give a chance to Washington Heights, who should appreciate the drop to 5f.
My selection has bags of speed, but has been campaigned over 6f, which definitely doesn't look ideal for him. He enters the final furlongs in his 6f races with a chance, but never sees out the trip, so I think the drop to a stiff 5f on quick ground could be the making of him.
He has good form and is proven at the top level, shown by his efforts behind Mill Stream and Bradsell.
Scorthy Champ 15/2 (4pl) – Newmarket 3.35
A horse whom I liked as a juvenile, but never got on the right side of was Scorthy Champ. I tipped him up for a race last year after I was impressed with his debut effort, but he didn't get the clearest of runs and had to settle for a third-placed finish. I then decided to ignore him on his final run of last year, and that was a painful decision as he managed to win a Group 1 at the Curragh, beating Henri Matisse in strong staying style.
Joseph O'Brien has only sent one horse over for the 2000 Guineas since he took out his training licence, and even though that horse did finish last, he was strongly fancied in the market, so it's interesting that he feels the need to try his luck again after not wanting to for many years. This horse is definitely in with a live chance; he has a good pedigree, and I think he will stay the trip, as well as handle the quick ground.
Classic Encounter 9/2 (4pl) – Newmarket 5.50
I was on the receiving end of a defeat when I tipped against Classic Encounter last time out at Ripon. I backed the favourite in that race, and I was very sweet on his chances, so to see this horse win that race in the style he did was impressive, and I definitely think he can win off a 4lb higher mark.
He is 1/2 on turf, and his only defeat on turf was on his second start, where he ran a good race in defeat to a very useful horse who is now rated in the 100s. He seems more comfortable on the grass than the all-weather, and I think he can keep progressing now on fast ground.
Beachcomber 14/1 (4pl) – Punchestown 4.15
Given how well the UK raiders have been doing in the handicaps at Punchestown this week, I thought Beachcomber was a player in this Listed handicap chase.
Jonjo O'Neill has already had a winner and another horse go close this week in Ireland, so his runner must be respected. The Irish handicapper has been lenient on him and has rated him 3lbs lower than the UK handicapper, and that puts him 6lbs above his last winning mark when he was a runaway winner at Kempton, and I think that puts him in with a good chance of winning this.
He was impressive when making the running at Kempton and given how the races at Punchestown have been unfolding, being on the pace looks to be the place to be, so he looks like a good each player at nice odds.
GambleAware