Millar's Method: Look to oppose proven quantities in Dick Poole Stakes

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.

2.10 Haydock - 1m4f handicap

Karl Burke’s Polyphonic produced an impressive performance at Carlisle seven days ago, but it seemed to come pretty much out of the blue.

His winning effort was far better than anything he’d shown previously - he was awarded a Racing Post Rating of 84 compared to his previous high of 76 - and he’s due to go up 10lb for his bloodless success. Under a mandatory penalty, Polyphonic is well in at the weights and he’s unsurprisingly favourite to follow up.

As a general rule, I’m very cautious of following one standout piece of form and therefore I’m extremely comfortable in looking elsewhere in this field.

I have plenty of time for trainer Ian Williams as his race-planning is exceptional. He is represented by three-year-old Dark Mystery, who arrives here in good form after getting off the mark at the ninth attempt at Newmarket. He finished strongly over 1m4f that day and a 4lb higher mark doesn’t look insurmountable. 

He’ll certainly not lack assistance from the saddle as William Buick has enjoyed an excellent run of winners in recent days and is consequently brimming with confidence. Off a featherweight, I’m confident that Dark Mystery can bag this prize.

Selection: Dark Mystery @ 4.8

3.20 Salisbury - 6f Group 3 Dick Poole Stakes

David O’Meara’s Maria Branwell holds the strongest single piece of form in this Group 3 contest. Her third-place finish in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot was a superb effort on paper, but the form has failed to work out and her two subsequent efforts have been moderate. 

She failed to fire in the Super Sprint when well suited by conditions, and only finished mid-division in the Group 2 Lowther last time out. She may well get back on track with the application of first-time cheekpieces, but I’m keen to look at her unexposed rivals.

Ed Walker has already enjoyed great success with his juveniles this season, which was well advertised by Amichi’s improved display in a competitive and valuable sales race at Newmarket last weekend.

The lightly raced Poetic Union represents him in the Dick Poole. She made a promising debut over 7f at this track and would have hit the frame had she not been hampered. The winner, Marbaan, has subsequently boosted the form by taking the  Group 2 Vintage Stakes on his next start. 

On her next start, Poetic Union took a large step forward as she made all of the running to win in emphatic fashion at Newmarket. Her pedigree and style of running strongly suggests that she will stay further than this trip, and I expect her to take another step forward here.

Selection: Poetic Union @ 12.5

3.40 Haydock - 6f nursery

James Horton has made a fantastic start to his training career and is most certainly a name to follow. 

As a former assistant to Sir Michael Stoute, it’s no surprise that he leaves plenty to work on with his young horses and a winning debut can only be seen as a bonus. Plenty of his juveniles perform with promise and that was certainly the case in regards to Drafted, who showed signs of inexperience in the early stages but produced some good late work in the closing stages.

His two subsequent runs haven’t seen him progress, though it’s possible that he didn’t appreciate the all-weather surface on his latest start. Connections have clearly felt his mind hasn’t been on the job as he’s been gelded since his latest run. 

Drafted’s opening mark of 67 seems pretty fair and I believe he can score on handicap debut.

Selection: Drafted @ 5.8

Recommended bets

Dark Mystery (2.10 Haydock) @ 4.8
Poetic Union (3.20 Salisbury) @ 12.5
Drafted (3.40 Haydock) @ 5.8