Millar's Method: Three tips across the cards worth following on Saturday

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

1.35 Haydock, 5f handicap

Little Earl boasts a standout piece of form in this contest. Last year, the son of Havana Gold finished a three-length runner-up behind subsequent Group 1-winning sprinter Ebro River in the Listed National Stakes at Sandown. 

His form tailed off somewhat alarmingly after that and connections elected to cut his season short in July. But I’m firmly of the opinion that soft ground is essential for this gelding and I can’t be the only one as he has been declared a non-runner on three occasions this year, all on account of the going.

He’s been gelded in the off-season and resumes off an appealing mark of just 87. With George Bass able to claim another valuable 5lb, I’m sure that trainer Robert Cowell has found him the ideal race to make a winning start to his season.

Selection: Little Earl @ 14

1.50 Sandown, 5f Group 3

Mitbaahy has been in fine form so far this season with two victories from his three starts, the most recent of which came in a Listed contest over this course and distance. He gets a handy 5lb weight-for-age allowance from his older rivals in this Group 3 prize, which on official figures suggests he has every chance of racking up another success.

However, it’s another three-year-old in the form of the Andrew Balding-trained Nymphadora who stands out. She has finished second on both starts this term but has run with great credit, especially on the first occasion when she tried to give 4lb to the talented Live In The Dream at Chester.

This is a key strand of form as the same horse finished a length behind the aforementioned Mitbaahy off level weights. Given that Nymphadora receives 3lb from Roger Varian’s charge, she’s weighted to go very close.

Her most recent effort in the Palace Of Holyroodhouse at Royal Ascot was another fine performance in defeat, again staying on well in the closing stages without being able to reel in the winner.

She is a strong stayer over this trip, so there is every hope that this stiff track can see further improvement as the sharp nature of Chester would not have been ideal. Good ground will suit her perfectly and I’m hopeful she can record a much-deserved win.

Selection: Nymphadora @ 10.5

2.05 Haydock, 1m6f handicap

Sir Mark Prescott has endured a frustrating start to the season and, unhappy with the form his string is in, he has elected to be patient and sent out just four runners in the last two weeks. While none have managed to grab that all-important win, they have all run with credit and two narrow defeats suggest that a change in fortune is just around the corner.

Prescott’s best chance on Saturday is Sea King, who returns after a two-month break off a 9lb higher mark for his comfortable win at Doncaster back in April. That came over 1m4f having previously been successful in a 1m2f novice at Newcastle in September last year.

Pamona, the dam of Sea King, was a stamina-laden performer with victories over this 1m6f trip and, given that Sea The Stars also provides his stock with stamina, there is no doubt that Sea King can progress again to make it three wins in a row.    

Selection: Sea King @ 4.2

Recommended bets

Little Earl (1.35 Haydock) @ 14
Nymphadora (1.50 Sandown) @ 10.5
Sea King (2.05 Haydock) @ 4.2