Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle offers her seasoned perspective on the highlights of Saturday’s meetings at York and Chester, with a particular focus on the prestigious £500,000 Ebor Handicap. If you can overlook his lackluster effort in the Old Newton Cup at Newmarket last month, Klassleader deserves a serious look for the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (3.35) at York. My husband Tom Marquand argued that the horse simply struggled with the undulating terrain that day, yet the way Klassleader vindicated his favoritism over a mile and a half at the same venue in May suggests he is comfortably rated at 98 and should be well‑handed. Alan King’s Daiquiri Bay, fresh from a brilliant showing in the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot, looks primed to stay the extra quarter‑mile.
He 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 favorable low draw. Another contender worth monitoring is the Willie Mullins entry Love Me Tender. The German‑bred youngster has demonstrated a liking for softer ground, but William Buick will be keen to prove his mettle on a handicap debut over a distance the horse has never attempted before. Eve Johnson‑Houghton’s Zavateri would be a delight to see claim the Group One Sky Bet City of York Stakes (3.00).
The colt has already proven his class at the top level and, after a promising run behind Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes, appears to be a relatively fresh option. Zavateri’s credentials include a Group One victory in the National Stakes as a two‑year‑old on yielding ground, where he beat Gstaad, making him an attractive alternative to Godolphin’s outstanding miler Notable Speech.
Speed is Zavateri’s forte, and a quick pace over seven furlongs would suit him perfectly on his first attempt at the distance. While his rating is high, he still has something to prove after a disappointing run 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 and could easily confirm the form. Japan’s elegant Satono Reve is another intriguing prospect after a near‑miss in the Group One Jubilee at Royal Ascot. This will be his first run over the Ebor distance, and the soft ground could be a concern, as he has never faced such testing conditions before.
Ireland may dominate the Group Three Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (1.50) at York with the dependable Geryon, who already possesses a win at this level. Ger Lyons’s grey captured the Meld Stakes over nine furlongs at Leopardstown this summer and then displayed a powerful turn of foot in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood, indicating that a drop back in distance and a yielding surface suit him well.
His two‑year‑old performance in the Group Two Beresford Stakes, where he chased down Hawk Mountain, further underlines his adaptability. Market rival Damysus, a horse that likes to get a good position early, also showed promise when he finished close behind this week’s Juddmonte International winner Item in the Group Two York Stakes last month. The addition of cheekpieces could sharpen his focus, though he would need to concede seven pounds to my preferred pick. It was a pleasure to watch my husband Tom and trainer William Haggas secure the Great Voltigeur on Wednesday with the stunning Maltese Cross, and I hope they can add another major staying prize with Infraad.
Infraad impressed in a Class Two handicap at the Goodwood Festival, suggesting he will relish the stamina test offered 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 appears to be a pattern performer in the making. He could well outshine the class‑dropping Limestone, a proven Group winner who has already succeeded in a handicap after his Queen’s Vase triumph.
Backing a progressive type like Infraad demands a top‑class jockey, and Joseph O’Brien would be ideal, though the testing conditions should not trouble him. The same can be said for Andrew Balding’s Newbury winner Mythical Bay, who thrives on easy ground. Air Force One is aiming for a memorable Ebor Festival double by targeting the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap (4.10) after a dominant straight‑track victory on Wednesday.
Even with a five‑pound penalty, the horse looks capable of handling the slower ground. I am also a strong supporter of Tim Easterby’s Red Spells Danger, who arrives at the Knavesmire after an impressive win in the Shergar Cup Sprint two weeks ago.
Although he faces a six‑pound penalty on softer ground, his progressive running style should help him find the answer. David O’Meara’s Toca Madera, who finished third behind Air Force One on Day Two, is a quick sprinter who tends to bounce back rapidly. While he may not be hitting his peak form, he could still secure a place finish and share in the prize money.
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 races at the Roodee that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing on Saturday. Championship leader Billy Loughnane will be aboard the Meydan handicap winner, a horse that has performed well in Group races this year without ever leading. He offers a solid option but will need to give his all to keep Lazy Griff at bay.
Charlie’s colt, placed in both the English and Irish Derbies last season after a close finish behind Lambourn in the Chester Vase, failed to fire in the Goodwood Cup despite a recent Listed win at Sandown in July. Nevertheless, an attacking draw from stall three could make him a difficult opponent. George Boughey’s exciting Asuka draws a challenging stall in the Class Two Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap (2.05) at Chester on Saturday.
Billy Loughnane will need a bit of luck from stall 12 if the talented colt hopes to complete a hat‑trick on ground that will be slower than his previous outings. A more promising alternative might be Richard Hughes’s five‑year‑old Whip Cracker, who enjoys a better stall‑four draw and performed well at Chester in the spring. The softer conditions should pose no problem for him on his first attempt at this type of trip 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 a session on the Equicizer as part of my ongoing rehabilitation from the injuries I sustained in a fall at Bath back in May. The team at Oaksey House continues to provide invaluable support in my quest to regain full fitness, although it remains too early to predict when I will be back in the saddle for real races.