Kevin Blake of Sky Sports Racing shares his three top selections as the Ebor Festival at York draws to a close with another fiercely contested card on Saturday, day four. The weather has been unkind to York this week, leaving the ground softer than usual and adding an extra layer of difficulty for the runners.
Assuming everything goes smoothly, Blake hopes the final day can end the meeting on a positive note. The first race that catches Blake's eye is the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes, scheduled to start at 1:50. Among the entries, the horse trained by Hamad Al‑Jehani, Archivist, appears to be priced well above his true chances. Long‑time followers of Blake will remember that he backed Archivist in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot.
Although the horse did not deliver a winning performance there, he quickly redeemed himself in his next start, conquering a daunting draw of twenty in the Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood. Not only did he overcome that challenging position, but he did so with a comfortable margin, signalling that he was ready to compete at stakes level.
The Strensall Stakes should suit Archivist perfectly; the course layout and the one‑mile distance play to his strengths, and the softer ground should not pose a serious problem. While his starting stall is a little wider than ideal, the odds on offer are so generous that a strong, front‑running effort from him would not be surprising at all. Blake believes a bold, sustained run could see Archivist finish strongly, making him a value pick for punters looking for a return on a modest stake. The second selection comes from the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap, which kicks off at 4:10.
This race is another highly competitive sprint handicap, and Blake is inclined to back the Andrew Balding‑trained filly Dance In The Storm. The betting market has been unusually enthusiastic about her, backing her heavily in each of her four starts this season, which suggests that many observers think she is operating above the level of a typical handicap horse. Dance In The Storm has already won two of her four starts over seven furlongs this year, showing a clear aptitude for that distance.
However, Blake notes that she appears to be improving and may actually be better suited to a shorter trip. The step down to six furlongs could unlock a new level of acceleration and allow her to demonstrate the speed that has been hinted at in her previous performances. Although she will need to overcome a career‑high weight assignment, the change in distance might provide the catalyst for a notable improvement. Blake finds her a fascinating contender and feels that she deserves serious consideration from anyone looking for a potential upset in the sprint division.
The final pick of the day is for the Sky Bet Dav Reid Finale Handicap, set for a 5:20 start. The Ger Lyons‑trained four‑year‑old Diego El Queso is Blake's choice.
Diego El Queso has shown a steady upward trajectory this season, beginning with a commanding handicap win at Leopardstown in April. After that victory, he was off the track for twelve weeks, a break that likely gave him time to recover and mature. When he returned, Diego El Queso produced an impressive effort, finishing second to Thread Of Gold in a valuable Leopardstown handicap.
That form has been reinforced by the subsequent performances of the winner, adding credibility to Diego El Queso's placing. He was subsequently entered in a similar race at Glorious Goodwood, where the race did not unfold in his favor, yet he still managed a respectable sixth place, catching the eye of observers. Blake believes Diego El Queso possesses more ability than his Glorious Goodwood finish indicated.
The combination of York's course, the mile distance, and the forgiving ground conditions should suit his running style. With a progressive record and a demonstrated ability to handle higher class competition, Blake expects Diego El Queso to launch a serious bid for a winning performance, potentially delivering a satisfying payoff for those who back him. In summary, Blake's day‑four recommendations are: Archivist in the Strensall Stakes, Dance In The Storm in the Constantine Handicap, and Diego El Queso in the Dav Reid Finale Handicap.
Each horse offers a blend of proven form, favorable conditions, and attractive odds, making them worthy of consideration for anyone seeking value bets as the Ebor Festival draws to a close.