Kevin Blake of Sky Sports Racing shares his three top picks as the Ebor Festival at York reaches its dramatic conclusion on the fourth day, Saturday. The meeting has been hampered by unsettled weather, leaving the going softer than usual and adding an extra layer of difficulty for the runners. Nevertheless, Blake hopes the final day will provide a strong finish to an otherwise challenging week.
The first race that catches Blake's eye is the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes, scheduled to start at 1:50 p.m. Among the entries, the most attractively priced is Archivist, trained by Hamad Al Jehani. Long‑time followers of Blake will remember that he backed Archivist in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot. Although the horse did not deliver on the day, he rebounded spectacularly in his next start, overcoming a seemingly impossible draw of 20 in the Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood.
Not only did he navigate the wide barrier, but he also did so with a comfortable margin, a performance that announced his readiness to compete at stakes level. The Strensall Stakes, with its familiar course and distance, should suit Archivist well, and the softer ground is not expected to hinder him.
While his post position is a touch further out than ideal, the odds on him are so generous that a strong run would not be surprising at all. The second race Blake highlights is the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap, which kicks off at 4:10 p.m. This sprint handicap is notoriously competitive, yet Blake feels confident about taking a chance on Dance In The Storm, a filly trained by Andrew Balding.
The betting market has consistently rewarded her in each of her four starts this season, indicating that punters view her as more than a typical handicapper. Although she has claimed two victories over seven furlongs this year, her recent form suggests she is adapting well to shorter distances. The step down to six furlongs could unlock further improvement, allowing her to display the speed that has already earned her a reputation for exceeding expectations. Blake believes she offers genuine value and merits a place in many bettors' selections.
The final recommendation of the day comes in the Sky Bet Dav Reid Finale Handicap, slated for a 5:20 p.m. start. Here Blake backs Diego El Queso, trained by Ger Lyons. The four‑year‑old has shown a steady upward trajectory, having won a handicap at Leopardstown in April with a convincing performance before a 12‑week spell that likely served as a lay‑off.
Upon returning to the track, Diego El Queso produced an impressive effort, finishing second to Thread Of Gold in a valuable Leopardstown handicap, a form that has been highlighted by the winner in subsequent outings. He was also well‑supported for a similar race at Glorious Goodwood, where an unfortunate run left him sixth, yet he still managed to catch the eye of observers. Blake argues that the combination of York’s course, the distance of the finale handicap, and the forgiving ground should suit Diego El Queso perfectly, allowing him to make a bold bid for a rewarding placing. In summary, Blake’s three selections—Archivist, Dance In The Storm, and Diego El Queso—offer a blend of value, form, and suitability to the day’s conditions, making them worthy considerations for anyone looking to finish the Ebor Festival on a high note.