Millar's Method: Don't sleep on these three outsiders at Ascot

If a short-priced play isn't your idea of a good bet, especially on a competitive day of racing, make sure you have a second look at Ross Millar's selections.

1.25 Ascot, 2m Group 2 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup

Kyprios is clearly the champion of this division, but he’s sadly absent. The only upside is that we are now left with a very competitive affair.

You can make a case for plenty, but I like the chances of Quickthorn, who ran below his true level of ability when he struggled to cope with heavy ground in France last time. At the time of writing, Ascot has avoided heavy rainfall with the ground officially being described as good to soft.

He is at his best when he is able to dictate from the front and, other than the hot-headed Trawlerman, he won’t face much competition for the lead here. On a line through Coltrane, who he’s already beaten this season, he has the beating of Trueshan. Tom Marquand can set his own fractions and make every yard.

Selection: Quickthorn @ 15

2.00 Ascot, 6f Group 1 Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes

It’s hard to assess the ideal trip for Tenebrism as she’s been campaigned over both 7f and a mile this season. On occasion she has even looked like she wants further than those distances. 

However, her best effort this year came over seven in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat, where she showed a smart turn of foot. Her last try at this trip was equally scintillating - she flew home to win the Cheveley Park in September 2021 - and, as a daughter of Caravaggio, she should be comfortable with give underfoot.

The likely strong pace in this event will play to her strengths at the finish.

Selection: Tenebrism @ 15.5

4.40 Ascot, 1m Balmoral Handicap

Perotto has endured a largely disappointing year, but he has been contesting much better races than this. The upside to a below-par campaign is that he has been dropped 10lb in the handicap. 

He finished tamely last time out in the Cambridgeshire, but he was hampered at a crucial moment and also possibly didn’t stay that extended trip. 

Harry Davies was unable to land the apprentice jockey championship, but his valuable 3lb claim means that Perotto lines up here off a 2lb lower mark than when he won the Britannia Stakes over this course and distance last year.

Selection: Perotto @ 18.5

Recommended bets

Quickthorn (1.25 Ascot) @ 15
Tenebrism (2.00 Ascot) @ 15.5
Perotto (4.40 Ascot) @ 18.5