THE Lucky 15s have been the source of cracking entertainment at the Guinness Village for the last decade. It is one of the most popular attractions at the Festival and the atmosphere is incredible. You would be forgiven for thinking that you are at Glastonbury or Electric Picnic. Josh, the lead guitarist and founding member of the band, spoke to me this week as he prepares himself for another week of madness at Cheltenham. You will be able to see The Lucky 15s in action every day during racing.

What is the origin of the band?

I have always been mad into racing and when my previous band, Naymedici, split up, I decided to put together a band full of my best mates so we could look to continue to play at Cheltenham. This will be our ninth year doing Cheltenham (11th if you count the gigs with Naymedici) and we’ve also been lucky enough to play at Kempton for the King George, Aintree for the Grand National, Wetherby for the Charlie Hall, as well as sets at Haydock and Market Rasen too.

Where did the band get its name?We’re called The Lucky 15s after I got an ante-post Lucky 15 up in 2012: Bobs Worth, Rock On Ruby, Finians Rainbow and Sprinter Sacre. Never had anything like it since, but it was great craic when it came in! I think our name is great for Cheltenham – everyone connects with it, and we try to put everyone in a good mood for the day’s racing. It’s great to see the energy of the crowd after a big favourite goes in and they rush to the stage for a dance and a sing- song.

Describe your favourite/funniest moment on stage at Cheltenham

So many great moments, but two highlights that stick out would be getting to share a stage with The Dubliners (going out as The Dublin Legends) with Patsy Watchorn singing, and then the year after, getting to share the stage with The Fureys who were absolutely brilliant and great to meet and chat with. Funniest moment was last year when ITV Racing asked me to sing The Wild Rover with A.P. McCoy – he was desperate for us to do Bagatelle – Summer in Dublin, but the producers thought The Wild Rover would be better for TV!

What artist or band is the band’s biggest inspiration?

To be honest, it’s all about the songs for us – that’s why Irish music is so great. The songs outlast everything. It’s great to hear a song like The Leaving of Liverpool interpreted in different ways, whether it be by The Clancys, The Dubliners or The Pogues, or even when Bob Dylan rewrote it as Farewell. If you are after specific artists, you can’t go wrong with The Dubliners, Pogues, or a bit of Christy Moore.

What is the origin of the connection between the band and Irish music/culture?

I’ve got Irish roots on my dad’s side, and on my mum’s side my nan was Scottish so I have always had an affinity with Celtic music and was raised on it. I lived in West Cork for a year with the band in a tiny village called Kilbrittain, not far from Bandon and Clonakilty. We have played in some great venues in Ireland such as Whelan’s in Dublin, Crane Lane in Cork and De Barras in Clonakilty.

What’s your favourite Cheltenham winner (horse) and why?

Every Cause Of Causes win at Cheltenham – backed him in the four-miler, the Kim Muir and the Cross-Country, a proper Cheltenham horse. The four-miler race he won was the race after every man and his dog - including me - had done their conkers on Annie Power, so I was chuffed to bits went it came in. He even came second in a Grand National, just missing out to One For Arthur.

Favourite song to play?

Raggle Taggle Gypsy is a great one to get the crowd going, with roots going all the way back to the 1700s. We play it fast and loud and the fiddle helps to carry the song – gets people of all ages up and dancing. Of course, everyone loves the big hits like The Irish Rover, Wild Rover and Whiskey in The Jar, but Raggle Taggle is the one for me!

JoSH’S Nap

Ahoy Senor is the one for me in the Gold Cup. He has been getting better with each run this year, comes alive in the spring and I am hoping he can do the business.