Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle offers her seasoned perspective on the highlights of Saturday's meetings at York and Chester, with a special focus on the prestigious £500,000 Ebor Handicap. If you can overlook his less‑than‑ideal performance in the Old Newton Cup at Newmarket last month, Klassleader deserves a serious look for the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (3.35) at York on Saturday. My husband Tom Marquand suggested the horse struggled with the undulating terrain that day, yet his convincing win over a mile and a half on this very course back in May indicates he handles the track well when rated at 98.
That past success gives me confidence that Klassleader will be well‑placed to contend for the top prize. Alan King’s Daiquiri Bay also merits attention after his impressive showing in the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The colt appears capable of staying the extra quarter‑mile required for the Ebor. He is no stranger to the Knavesmire, having produced a gallant third in last season’s Melrose Stakes over the same distance and course, and he has drawn a favourable low stall, which should aid his chances. Another intriguing entry is the Willie Mullins‑trained Love Me Tender, a German‑bred who has demonstrated a liking for softer ground. While William Buick’s mount is making his handicap debut over a distance he has never tackled before, the horse’s recent form suggests he could improve with a suitable ride and the right ground conditions.
Eve Johnson‑Houghton’s Zavateri is a strong candidate for the Group One Sky Bet City of York Stakes (3.00). The colt has already proven his class at this level and showed encouraging form when he finished behind Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes. Zavateri’s pedigree is impressive – he captured the Group One National Stakes as a two‑year‑old on yielding ground, defeating Gstaad, and he now presents a more appealing alternative to Godolphin’s brilliant miler Notable Speech.
Zavateri should benefit from a faster pace over the seven‑furlong trip, although his rating sets a high benchmark. He will be eager to bounce back 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 is expected to relish the softer ground and could confirm the form.
From Japan, Satono Reve offers an interesting option after a near‑miss in the Group One Jubilee at Royal Ascot. This classy entire will be tackling the distance for the first time, but his lack of experience on soft, demanding ground raises some concerns. Ireland may claim the Group Three Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (1.50) at York with the dependable Geryon, who already boasts a win at this level. Ger Lyons’s grey won the Meld Stakes over nine furlongs at Leopardstown this summer and then displayed a powerful finish in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood.
Dropping back in distance suits him, and he has shown no aversion to slower ground, as evidenced by his victory over Hawk Mountain in the Group Two Beresford Stakes as a two‑year‑old. Market favourite Damysus is another horse that likes to be prominent early.
He was bumped 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, though he will have to concede seven pounds to my preferred runner. It was a pleasure to watch my husband Tom and trainer William Haggas secure the Great Voltigeur on Wednesday with the elegant Maltese Cross. I hope they can add another staying triumph with Infraad.
Infraad impressed in a Class Two handicap at the Goodwood Festival, suggesting he will relish the stamina test of 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 developing into a pattern performer.
I can see him out‑classing the seasoned handicapper Limestone, a proven Group winner who recently captured the Queen’s Vase. Progressive types like Infraad thrive under the guidance of top jockeys such as Joseph O’Brien, and they should cope well with the testing conditions. The same can be said for Andrew Balding’s Newbury winner Mythical Bay, who prefers 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 win on the straight track on Wednesday. Even with a five‑pound penalty, he looks likely to perform strongly.
I am also a fan of Tim Easterby’s Red Spells Danger, who arrives at the Knavesmire after a convincing victory in the Shergar Cup Sprint two weeks ago. He faces a six‑pound penalty on slower ground but possesses the progressive ability to adapt.
David O’Meara’s Toca Madera finished third behind Air Force One on Day Two and shows quick recovery. While he is a sprinter in good form, he has yet to find a race that suits him perfectly 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 races at the Roodee that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing on Saturday. Championship leader Billy Loughnane partners a Meydan handicap winner who has performed admirably in Group races this year without ever leading the field. He is a solid contender 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 year, narrowly missed out on the Chester Vase, finishing just a length and a half behind the Epsom hero Lambourn. Although he failed to fire in the Goodwood Cup after a Listed win at Sandown in July, he could prove a tough opponent from an attacking draw in stall three.
George Boughey’s promising Asuka has drawn a tricky 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 colt hopes to complete a hat‑trick on ground that will be slower than his previous outings. A more reliable alternative might be Richard Hughes’s five‑year‑old Whip Cracker, who enjoys a better stall four and ran well at Chester in the spring.
The conditions should suit him on his first attempt at this type of trip since his novice win three years ago. On a personal note, I felt a great sense of satisfaction returning to the saddle this week, even if it was a mechanical horse at Oaksey House in Lambourn. I spent time on the Equicizer as part of my ongoing rehabilitation after the injuries I sustained in a fall at Bath in May. The team at Oaksey House continue to provide invaluable support in my quest to regain full fitness, though it remains too early to predict when I will be back riding competitively for real.