Kevin Blake of Sky Sports Racing shares his three top picks as the Ebor Festival at York draws to a close with an exceptionally competitive fourth day on Saturday. The meeting has been hampered by unsettled weather throughout the week, leaving the turf softer than usual and adding an extra layer of difficulty for both jockeys and trainers. Despite those challenges, Blake hopes the final day will provide a strong finish to an otherwise demanding festival.
The first race that catches Blake's eye is the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes, scheduled for 1:50 p.m. Among the entries, the most attractively priced contender is Archivist, trained by Hamad Al Jehani. Blake reminds long‑time followers that Archivist was his choice for the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot earlier in the season.
Although the horse did not deliver on that day, he rebounded spectacularly in his next start, conquering a daunting 20‑horse field in the Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood. Not only did Archivist overcome the large draw, he did so with a comfortable margin, signalling that he was ready to compete at stakes level.
The Strensall Stakes, run over a similar distance on a course that should suit his running style, offers another opportunity for the horse to shine. The soft ground at York will not be a major drawback for him, and while his post position is slightly off the ideal, the generous odds make a strong finish a plausible scenario.
Next up is the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap at 4:10 p.m., a race that Blake describes as an "extremely tough sprint handicap." His pick for this contest is Dance In The Storm, trained by Andrew Balding. The betting market has consistently backed this filly in each of her four starts this season, suggesting that punters view her as more than a typical handicapper. She has already secured two victories over seven furlongs, but Blake believes her true potential may emerge over the shorter sprint distance offered in the Constantine Handicap. The change in trip could unlock a new level of performance, allowing her to demonstrate the speed that has been hinted at in her previous runs.
Although she will have to overcome a career‑high weight, the combination of her proven class and the possibility of a distance‑related improvement makes her a compelling choice for bettors seeking value. The final recommendation of the day comes in the Sky Bet Dav Reid Finale Handicap, slated for 5:20 p.m. Blake backs Diego El Queso, trained by Ger Lyons. This four‑year‑old has shown a steady upward trajectory, beginning with a convincing handicap win at Leopardstown in April.
After that victory, the horse was off the track for twelve weeks, a break that likely served as a strategic lay‑off to allow him to mature. Upon returning, Diego El Queso produced an impressive run, finishing second to Thread Of Gold in a valuable Leopardstown handicap.
That performance has been highlighted by the winner’s subsequent successes, adding credibility to Diego El Queso’s form. He was also entered in a similar race at Glorious Goodwood, where a mishap prevented a better finish, yet he still managed a respectable sixth place, indicating that he can handle high‑class fields. Blake points out that the combination of York’s course layout, the distance of the Dav Reid Finale Handicap, and the forgiving ground conditions all align well with Diego El Queso’s strengths.
Given his progressive record and the fact that he has already demonstrated the ability to compete closely with top‑class horses, Blake expects him to make a bold bid for a winning position and, importantly, to earn a valuable return for those who back him at his current odds. Overall, Blake’s three selections reflect a blend of proven talent, strategic distance changes, and favorable ground conditions. Archivist offers a value bet in a stakes‑level contest, Dance In The Storm could capitalize on a distance shift to reveal hidden speed, and Diego El Queso appears primed to translate his recent form into a winning performance on the final day of the festival. Racing enthusiasts are encouraged to consider these insights as they place their wagers, and to stay tuned for further updates and analyses from Sky Sports Racing throughout the remainder of the Ebor Festival.