Millar's Method: My best bets for Saturday's racing at Ascot & York

SBK tipster Ross Millar returns with three selections for a bumper Saturday of racing that includes the Group 1 King George VI And Princess Elizabeth Stakes where Westover takes on Emily Upjohn.

3.35 Ascot - King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Low in numbers, but high in quality, I’m hopeful this race is capable of serving up a memorable contest. The favourite Westover met with a troubled passage when a fast finishing third in the Derby, but had a much easier time of things when landing the Irish equivalent at the Curragh under Colin Keane; who maintains the partnership despite having never ridden a winner at Ascot. 

While he’s clearly a talented colt, I’m not convinced that the bare form of the Curragh run is worth all that much. The second that day, Piz Badile, was hammered on his next start at Longchamp, while Oaks winner, Tuesday, was given (a rare) misjudged from Ryan Moore who left her with too much to do.

Emily Upjohn is another who suffered bad-fortune at Epsom, she all but fell over departing the stalls and was then taken very wide by Frankie Dettori when making an eye-catching challenge. She was still only narrowly beaten in a tight finish and was, to my mind, comfortably the best filly in the race. Her planned trip to Ireland, for the Irish Oaks, had to be shelved at the last minute when travel plans were disrupted, this does mean that she’ll arrive here fresh, though there is a mild concern that that could see her pull too hard, as she did when winning the Muisidora at York.

Regardless, I see her as comfortably the most exciting prospect in this field; I’m hopeful that Frankie can settle her in a nice position – potentially fourth sat in-behind Broome, Pyledriver and Westover, from there I expect her to have far too many gears for her male rivals.

The Gosden yard produced Enable to win this as a three-year old in 2017 and I’m confident they can repeat that feat once again.

Selection: Emily Upjohn (3.9)

1.50 Ascot - Princess Margaret Keeneland Stakes

Lezoo has been running consistently this season, but at a relatively short price I’m keen to take her on; primarily because this will be her third start inside four weeks. I also felt she looked a little jaded on her last appearance at Newmarket and see no reason why things should be any different here after just a two-week break.

The John Quinn trained Breege created a huge impression on debut when she won by six-lengths in the manner of a very smart filly. The form of that race looks solid, the second placed Commander Straker won on his next start, while Machito who was at least ten-lengths back in fifth is now rated 76 after a series of solid efforts.

Breege disappointed on her next start however but the fact that she was beaten only two-lengths by Rousing Encore probably wasn’t as bad as it seems as he’s since finished a close up sixth in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Regardless I’m certain we didn’t see the real Breege on that occasion and it’s possible that the two-month break since that run has been the result of a small issue attributable to that effort.

Connections were palpably enthused by her after the debut performance and were hopeful she’d be up to running well in the Albany. That confidence combined with the striking visual impression she created at Wetherby leaves me confident that she’s more than up to this level and can beat the vulnerable favourite.

Selection: Breege (11.5)

2.40 York - Dash Handicap

Venturous triumphed in this race last year courtesy of a powerful late charge; that win came off a mark of 95 with a further two all-weather wins taking his mark in that code to an impressive 106. He lines up off just 93 here and I think that gives him a good chance of securing back-to-back victories in the race.

In his last two outings he’s shaped far better than the bare result, having been given far too much to do by his jockey, Tom Queally. He has however shown that the fire still burns bright, with good closing fractions over a five-furlong trip that is short of his best. I’m hopeful that the extra-furlong he faces here can see him once again return to the winner’s enclosure.

Selection: Venturous (11)

Recommended Bets

Breege (1.50 Ascot) @ 11.5
Venturous (2.40 York) @ 11
Emily Upjohn (3.35 Ascot) @ 3.9