Millar's Method: Star sprinter features among three York tips on Saturday

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

3.30 York, 6f Handicap

David Loughnane’s two-year-olds always merit a second look and Sanks A Million appears to have been let in lightly off an opening mark of just 77 in this handicap.

After two runner-up finishes, Sanks A Million shed his maiden tag with a stylish win at Chester under Richard Kingscote, who maintains the partnership here. He was drawn in stall five in a six-runner race that day, which could have been a disadvantage, but he broke smartly and Kingscote elected to use a good amount of energy to sprint to the front. The pair were able to repel challengers in the closing stages, which suggests the level of the performance should be upgraded. 

He had Jm Jungle three lengths behind that day and should confirm that form on 4lb better terms. Sanks A Million finished just half-a-length behind the now 95-rated Dear My Friend at Carlisle on his penultimate start and, even when accounting for the 2lb he received, it’s hard to believe that he didn’t run to a mark in excess of 77 (third placed Sol Cayo is rated 79).

While nurseries can often throw up an improver who has hitherto hidden their ability, I’m happy to side with a colt who has hidden his talent in plain sight and could have yet more to give.

Selection: Sanks A Million @ 6.4

4.40 York, 5f Listed City Walls Stakes

York specialist Winter Power, who has won three of her four starts on the Knavesmire, takes up a huge chunk of this market. If the return to this track helps her rediscover her best form then she’ll be very hard to beat, but, even when accounting for her dip in level away from York, you would still have to conclude that she has been way below her best in recent starts. 

It’s much harder to train a mare to maintain their form and it could well be that she struggles to showcase her peak ability. As a result, I’m keen to take her on.

I prefer Caturra, who enjoyed a fine debut season last year with three victories from his nine starts, which culminated in a Group 2 Flying Childers strike at Doncaster. He’s yet to add to those wins in three starts this season but he’s performed with aplomb on each outing. 

He started his season with a fine effort in Chantilly, where he went down narrowly to Miramar, who received 8lb from the selection. Miramar has since finished fifth in a red-hot Commonwealth Cup, which gives the form a solid look. 

Caturra has had a troubled passage on his two subsequent outings - firstly at Haydock, where he could only manage fifth when short of room as he made his challenge, and recently at Sandown, where he flashed home late having had to wait to make his move. 

He was still only beaten just over a length by Mitbaahy, who was receiving 5lb and went on to just be beaten a neck in the Group 3 Coral Charge. Clive Cox is an excellent trainer and excels with his sprinters and I’m very confident that the market underestimates this speedy son of Mehmas.

Selection: Caturra @ 6.8

5.15 York, 6f Handicap

After three woeful performances, Admirality took a huge step back in the right direction at Doncaster on his last start. He seemingly appreciated the drop back to six furlongs for the first time in 13 races.

Despite running well, he was uncharacteristically slow from the stalls and was just unable to peg back the winner, who made every yard.

He is able to line up off an unchanged mark and this season's leading apprentice, Harry Davies, is able to claim a helpful 5lb. While he is far from a prolific winner, he looks primed to run a big race on ground that he will love.

Selection: Admirality @ 13

Recommended bets

Sanks A Million (3.30 York) @ 6.4
Caturra (4.40 York) @ 6.8
Admirality (5.15 York) @ 13