Elliott and Kennedy spearhead Clonmel Lucky 15 as Speculateur makes hurdles debut By Enda McElhinneyOur Lucky 15 Tips for Thursday January 8th come from Clonmel and Jason Leahy is on hand to take you through our picks. Our racing expert has an in-depth knowledge of the UK and Irish racing scene and puts his formbook analysis to the test in selecting our Lucky 15 picks. Today’s Lucky 15 Tips Our horse racing experts have searched through the latest races and odds to find the best Lucky 15 picks for Thursday January 8th. Below you can find who we recommend, their odds and why we’re tipping them for success. Santo Sospir - Clonmel 1.20 Gordon Elliott has been in flying form over the Christmas period and Santo Sospir can help keep the winners coming for the County Meath handler. Santo Sospir was slightly disappointing on his debut over hurdles before showing marked improvement when upped in trip to score at Punchestown. He was due to line up in the Grade 2 novice hurdle at Limerick on Boxing Day before being declared a non-runner, but the fact connections felt he was up to that level is an obvious positive. He receives 3lb from his main danger Charlus and that concession may prove enough to see him record another success. Shoda - Clonmel 1.50 Not many appear in with a chance of winning this weak-looking maiden hurdle, so this could be a good opportunity for Joseph O’Brien’s Shoda to get off the mark over hurdles. She was a good third on her hurdles debut just over a year ago with the second, Bacchanalian, now rated 133, and she was far from disgraced when upped in class to a Grade 3 Juvenile Hurdle at Naas in February, finishing third again. After a spell on the flat, she returned over hurdles to finish third once more at Leopardstown behind the exciting-looking Ballyfad, and a repeat of any of her three runs over hurdles will see her go close. Speculateur - 2.20 Clonmel Speculateur won one of his two starts in the point-to-point field before finishing fourth at Punchestown in a bumper back in November. There should be plenty more to come from him on his hurdles debut, and with this race lacking any real depth, it looks a good opportunity. Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy have been in terrific form and can team up again with this five-year-old gelding. Gino Bella - Clonmel 2.50 Although Gino Bella has to give weight to all her rivals, plenty of these come into the race with questions to answer, so this looks a good opportunity for her to grab a first win over hurdles. Gino Bella is in decent nick, producing two good placed efforts in handicaps, with her second last time out representing the best piece of recent form of any horse in this race. She returns off the same mark today, and a repeat of that last run will see her hard to beat. Looking To Learn More? Study the different bet types with our section for how to bet online, including details and examples of the Lucky 15 bet. Looking For A New Sign-Up Offer?
