Millar’s Method: four horse racing tips for Saturday’s action

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.

1.51 Ascot, 5f Listed Oakman Inns Rous Stakes

King’s Lynn has faced tough tasks on his last two runs, which came just four days apart at Royal Ascot. He performed with credit in both the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes and the Group 1 Platinum Jubilee Stakes, but he simply isn’t up to that level. 

This is much more his grade, as proved by his solid recent record outside of Group 1 company - he has won or been placed in his last four starts at lower levels.  And, although he’s never won at this track, he has some good efforts to his name here, most notably a third-placed finish in last year’s Wokingham.

While he stays six furlongs, his best form has come over shorter trips and I fully expect this stiff five to suit him perfectly. He’s also ground versatile, so he won’t be inconvenienced if the forecast rain arrives.

King’s Lynn has to concede weight to the progressive three-year old Manaccan, but, unlike that rival, he arrives here fresh having not run since June and that can give him the decisive edge.

Selection: King’s Lynn @ 6.2

2.06 Newmarket, 6f £150,000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes

Ed Walker’s Amichi was an impressive winner of a similar contest last time and, with just three runs under his best, he is still open to any amount of improvement. As a result, he could prove a tough nut to crack, but I’m prepared to afford Woolhampton another chance at a much bigger price. 

She finished five-and-a-half lengths behind Amichi on that occasion but, whereas the winner was always well positioned, Woolhampton was held up and finished uncharacteristically weakly. 

That was her second run in 14 days and her sixth race of the season, so I’m happy to conclude that a combination of those factors caused a slightly below-par performance. She should now be fresh after a 35-day break and, thanks to an 8lb pull in the weights with Amichi, she can reverse the form.

Selection: Woolhampton @ 20

2.25 Ascot, 1m4f Group 3 Cumberland Lodge Stakes

Hamish has run well on both starts this season. He began his campaign with a battling victory in Chester’s Ormonde Stakes, and franked that form by chasing home Kyprios in the Irish St Leger. 

However, those runs came over 1m5½f and 1m6f respectively and, even though the forecast rain may aide his cause, he could be vulnerable now that he drops back in distance.

High Definition was unbeaten as a juvenile and was expected to take high rank for connections but has failed to live up to that expectancy. Nevertheless, he is still a smart animal and will appreciate this drop in grade after contesting Group 1 and Group 2 contests this summer. 

He finished a good runner-up on his last outing at this level, but that race was run over 1m2f and he just lacked the finishing speed of the winner. This longer trip around Ascot should be perfect and I fancy him to gain his first victory in two years.

Selection: High Definition @ 5.8

3.21 Redcar, 6f Listed Two-Year-Old Trophy

Cold Case is understandably favourite for this year’s Two-Year-Old Trophy as he brings the best piece of winning form into the race. He’s also better off at the weights with Holguin, who finished behind him in third last time at Doncaster. However, I’m keen on a potentially unexposed, lightly raced colt who has run to a good level himself, albeit in defeat. 

Jumbeau will arrive here fresh for Tom Clover and Hayley Turner having not been seen since his fine fifth in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot. He made good late progress over five furlongs on that occasion and will be suited by going up in distance.

The Windsor Castle form has been franked countless times already this season, and all four horses who finished in front of him are rated at least 103 - the standout being Little Big Bear (124).

It’s not fanciful to think that Jumbeau is more than capable of running to a mark in excess of 100 himself and he’s exceptionally well treated by the conditions of the race if that’s the case. 

Jumbeau carries just 8st 9lb so, in receipt of 9lb from the top-weighted Cold Case, I’m confident he’ll go very close at a double-figure price.

Selection: Jumbeau @ 17

Saturday’s horse racing bets

King’s Lynn (1.51 Ascot) @ 6.2
Woolhampton (2.06 Newmarket) @ 20
High Definition (2.25 Ascot) @ 5.8
Jumbeau (3.21 Redcar) @ 17