Kevin Blake of Sky Sports Racing has laid out three solid selections as the Ebor Festival at York draws to a close on the fourth day, Saturday. The meeting has been hampered by a spell of unsettled weather, leaving the going softer than usual and adding an extra layer of difficulty for trainers and jockeys alike.
Despite the challenges, Blake hopes the final day can provide a satisfying finish to an otherwise unpredictable week. The first race Blake highlights is the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes, scheduled for 1:50 p.m.
Among the entries, the most intriguing value bet appears to be the Hamad Al Jehani‑trained Archivist. Long‑time followers of Blake will remember that he backed this colt in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot. Although the horse did not deliver on the day, he quickly redeemed himself in his next start, conquering a daunting draw of 20 in the Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood.
Not only did Archivist overcome the unfavorable barrier, he did so with room to spare, a performance that signalled his readiness to compete at stakes level. Blake points out that the Strensall Stakes’ course and distance should suit Archivist perfectly. The softer ground, while not ideal, is unlikely to hinder him significantly.
He will start from a draw that is a little wider than his optimum, but given the odds on offer, the extra distance from the outside is a manageable compromise. A strong, forward‑moving run from the colt would not be surprising at all, and Blake believes the market has undervalued him. Moving on to the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap at 4:10 p.m., Blake identifies another challenging sprint handicap and puts his money on the Andrew Balding‑trained filly Dance In The Storm.
The betting market has been unusually generous to her in her four starts this season, suggesting that punters view her as being above the typical handicap standard. Blake notes that while she has already claimed two victories over seven furlongs this year, her recent form indicates she could be ready to stretch out to a shorter distance. Dance In The Storm has a career‑high rating to overcome, but the change in trip may unlock a new level of performance.
The filly has shown a turn of foot and a willingness to race prominently, traits that could translate well to a sprint. Blake believes that the combination of her proven ability, the positive market sentiment, and the potential for a distance‑based improvement makes her a compelling choice for the Constantine Handicap. The final pick of the day comes in the Sky Bet Dav Reid Finale Handicap, scheduled for 5:20 p.m., and Blake backs the Ger Lyons‑trained four‑year‑old Diego El Queso.
This horse has a progressive recent record: he won a handicap at Leopardstown in April with a decisive performance, then disappeared from the scene for twelve weeks, a break that likely served as a spell to restore fitness. Upon his return, Diego El Queso produced a brilliant effort, finishing second to Thread Of Gold in a valuable Leopardstown handicap.
That runner‑up finish has been highlighted by the winner’s subsequent performances, further enhancing Diego El Queso’s credentials. Blake recalls that the horse was also well‑regarded for a similar race at Glorious Goodwood, where a mishap prevented him from delivering his best. Nevertheless, he managed a respectable sixth place, showing that he can handle high‑class company.
With the course layout at York and the distance of the Finale Handicap suiting his running style, and with the ground now yielding, Blake expects Diego El Queso to make a serious bid for a winning position. In summary, Blake’s three recommendations for the fourth day of the Ebor Festival are: 1. Archivist in the Strensall Stakes – a value bet with proven stakes‑level ability and a favorable trip despite a slightly wide draw. 2.
Dance In The Storm in the Constantine Handicap – a filly whose recent form and market support suggest she may thrive over a shorter sprint distance. 3. Diego El Queso in the Dav Reid Finale Handicap – a steadily improving four‑year‑old whose recent performances and suitability to York’s conditions make him a strong contender. These selections reflect Blake’s strategy of identifying horses that have either been undervalued by the market or are poised to benefit from a change in distance or conditions.
By focusing on form, adaptability to the soft ground, and the specific demands of each race, he aims to give his audience a realistic chance of success on a day that has already proven to be exceptionally competitive.