Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle offers her seasoned perspective on the highlights slated for York and Chester this Saturday, with a particular focus on the prestigious £500,000 Ebor Handicap. If you can overlook Klassleader's less‑than‑ideal showing in the Old Newton Cup at Newmarket last month, the horse deserves serious consideration for the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (3.35) at York. My husband Tom Marquand suggested the horse struggled with the undulating terrain that day, yet the way Klassleader vindicated his favoritism in a mile‑and‑a‑half handicap at the same venue back in May convinces me that a rating of 98 is appropriate and that he will be well‑handled on that mark.
Alan King’s Daiquiri Bay, fresh from a brilliant victory in the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot, appears perfectly suited to the extra quarter‑mile added to the Ebor distance. The colt is no stranger to The Knavesmire, having produced a gallant third in last season’s Melrose Stakes over the same course and distance, and he benefits from a favourable low draw that should aid his run. Another contender worth watching is the Willie Mullins‑trained Love Me Tender. This German import has demonstrated a liking for soft ground, but his upcoming ride on William Buick marks his first appearance in a handicap and over a trip he has never contested before.
The combination of a new jockey, a new race type, and a new distance makes his performance an intriguing puzzle. Eve Johnson Houghton’s Zavateri would be a welcome winner of the Group One Sky Bet City of York Stakes (3.00). The horse has already proven his class at the top level and, despite a modest run behind Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes, showed enough promise to merit a serious look.
Zavateri’s résumé includes a Group One National Stakes triumph at two, where he beat Gstaad on yielding ground, making him a more appealing option than Godolphin’s highly regarded miler Notable Speech. While Zavateri’s rating is high, he still needs to confirm his ability over seven furlongs after a disappointing effort on a firmer surface at Ascot in the Queen Anne, where he was beaten by Ten Bob Tony.
Ed Walker’s colt should relish the softer conditions expected at York and could well validate the form he displayed earlier in the season. Japan’s elegant Satono Reve also merits attention after narrowly missing out in the Group One Jubilee at Royal Ascot. This will be his first attempt at the Ebor distance, and his unfamiliarity with soft ground raises questions, as he has never been tested on such testing going. Nevertheless, his class suggests he could adapt if the ground suits him.
In the Group Three Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (1.50) at York, Ireland’s reliable Geryon stands out as a solid pick. The grey, trained by Ger Lyons, captured the Meld Stakes over nine furlongs at Leopardstown this summer and followed that with a dominant performance in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. Dropping back in distance appears to suit him, and his proven ability on slower ground—evidenced by his two‑year‑old victory over Hawk Mountain in the Group Two Beresford Stakes—makes him a strong contender.
Market rival Damysus, who liked to get a good position early, was a factor in the Group Two York Stakes last month, finishing behind this week’s Juddmonte International winner Item. The addition of cheekpieces could give him a tactical edge, but he will be conceding seven pounds to my preferred selection.
It was a pleasure to see my husband Tom and trainer William Haggas claim the Great Voltigeur on Wednesday with the elegant Maltese Cross, and I hope they can add another staying prize with Infraad. Infraad impressed in a Class Two handicap at the Goodwood Festival, suggesting he will relish the stamina test posed by the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (2.25) at York. A seven‑pound increase to a rating of 97 should not hinder a colt who is shaping up to be a pattern performer; he could well out‑class the dropping‑down‑class Limestone, a proven Group winner who recently triumphed in the Queen’s Vase. Providing weight to progressing types like Infraad demands a top‑class jockey, and Joseph O’Brien fits the bill.
He should not be troubled by the testing conditions, a sentiment echoed by Andrew Balding’s Newbury winner Mythical Bay, who thrives on easy ground. Air Force One aims to complete a memorable Ebor Festival double by targeting the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap (4.10) after a striking straight‑track victory on Wednesday. Even with a five‑pound penalty, the horse looks capable of handling the slower going expected on Saturday.
Conversely, I am a strong advocate for Tim Easterby’s Red Spells Danger, who arrives at The Knavesmire fresh from an impressive win in the Shergar Cup Sprint two weeks ago. Although he must give away six pounds on softer ground, his progressive nature suggests he will find a solution. David O’Meara’s Toca Madera, who finished third behind Air Force One on Day Two, is a quick‑turning sprinter.
While he possesses speed, he has yet to nail his races consistently and may have to settle for a place finish. Godolphin’s By The Book and Charlie Johnston’s Classic‑placed Lazy Griff are set to clash in the Listed Virgin Bet Chester Stakes (2.40), one of seven Roodee races broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing this Saturday. Championship leader Billy Loughnane will ride the Meydan handicap winner, a horse that has performed admirably in Group contests this season but has not yet led the field.
He is a solid option, yet will need to give his all to keep Lazy Griff at bay. Charlie’s colt, placed in both the English and Irish Derbies last year after a narrow defeat to Lambourn in the Chester Vase, failed to fire in the Goodwood Cup after winning a Listed race at Sandown in July. Nevertheless, an attacking draw from stall three could make him a tricky opponent.
George Boughey’s exciting Asuka faces a challenging draw in the Class Two Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap (2.05) at Chester. Billy Loughnane will have to rely on luck from the far‑back stall twelve if this talented colt hopes to secure a hat‑trick on ground slower than his previous outings.
A potentially better choice is Richard Hughes’ five‑year‑old Whip Cracker, who enjoys a more favourable stall four draw and ran well at Chester in the spring. The softer conditions should not pose a problem as he attempts this distance for the first time since his novice win three years ago.
On a personal note, I was thrilled to get back on a horse this week, even if it was a mechanical one at Oaksey House in Lambourn. I spent time on the Equicizer as part of my ongoing rehabilitation after the injuries I sustained in the fall at Bath back in May.
The team at Oaksey House continues to provide invaluable support in my quest to regain full fitness, though it remains too early to predict when I will be back in the saddle for real races.