Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle offers her seasoned perspective on the highlights slated for York and Chester this Saturday, with a particular focus on the prestigious £500,000 Ebor Handicap. If you can overlook Klassleader's less‑than‑ideal run in the Old Newton Cup at Newmarket last month, the horse deserves serious consideration for the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (3.35) at York. My husband Tom Marquand noted that the colt struggled with the undulating terrain that day, yet his dominant performance over a mile and a half at York back in May suggests he thrives on a rating of 98 and should be well‑handicapped.
Alan King’s Daiquiri Bay, fresh from a brilliant victory in the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot, looks poised to stay the extra quarter‑mile with confidence. The gelding 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 has been allocated a favourable low draw which should aid his chances.
Another contender worth watching is Willie Mullins’ Love Me Tender, a German‑bred who has shown a liking for soft ground. Though William Buick’s mount is making his handicap debut over a distance he has never contested, the horse’s pedigree and recent form suggest he could improve sharply when the conditions suit. I would also love to see Eve Johnson‑Houghton's Zavateri capture the Group One Sky Bet City of York Stakes (3.00).
Zavateri has already proven his class at the top level and, after a promising run behind Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes, appears fresh and capable of delivering a winning performance. Zavateri’s résumé includes a Group One National Stakes triumph as a two‑year‑old on yielding ground, where he bested Gstaad. That victory makes him a more attractive option than Godolphin’s highly regarded miler Notable Speech, especially given Zavateri’s proven ability to handle softer going.
The faster the pace, the better for him over seven furlongs, yet despite a strong rating, he still needs to prove himself after a disappointing showing on a firmer track 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 confirm his form.
Japan’s elegant Satono Reve is another intriguing entrant after a near‑miss in the Group One Jubilee at Royal Ascot. This will be his first attempt over the Ebor distance, and while his class is undeniable, the soft ground could be a concern as he has yet to face such demanding conditions. The Group Three Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (1.50) at York is likely to be won by the dependable Geryon, a proven performer at this grade. Ger Lyons’ grey gelding captured the Meld Stakes over nine furlongs at Leopardstown this summer and later displayed a powerful turn of foot in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood, indicating he handles a drop in distance and softer ground with ease.
Market rival Damysus, who showed a willingness to lead in the Group Two York Stakes last month, finished behind this week’s Juddmonte International winner Item. The addition of cheekpieces could give him a tactical edge, 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 elegant Maltese Cross, and I am hopeful 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 presented by the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (2.25) at York.
A seven‑pound rise to a rating of 97 should not deter a colt that is shaping up to be a pattern performer. He could well outclass the class‑dropping Limestone, a proven Group winner who has already succeeded in a handicap after winning the Queen’s Vase. Assigning weight to progressive types like Infraad highlights the importance of a top‑class jockey; Joseph O’Brien’s talent will be crucial, though the testing conditions should not hinder him.
The same logic applies to Andrew Balding’s Newbury winner Mythical Bay, who thrives on easy ground. Air Force One is targeting a memorable Ebor Festival double by contesting the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap (4.10) after a dominant straight‑track win on Wednesday. Even with a five‑pound penalty, the horse appears well‑suited to the course.
I remain a strong supporter of Tim Easterby’s Red Spells Danger, who arrives at the Knavesmire after an impressive Shergar Cup Sprint victory two weeks ago. Though he must overcome a six‑pound penalty on slower ground, his progressive form suggests he can adapt and find the answer. David O’Meara’s Toca Madera, who finished third behind Air Force One on Day Two, is a fast‑finishing sprinter.
While he possesses speed, his recent races have lacked consistency, so a place finish may be the most realistic expectation. 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 this Saturday. Championship leader Billy Loughnane will be aboard the Meydan handicap winner who has shown form in Group races this year without ever taking the lead.
He is 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 year, narrowly missed out on the Chester Vase after 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 remains a dangerous 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.
Billy Loughnane will need a bit of luck from the far‑outside stall 12 if this talented colt hopes to complete a hat‑trick on ground that will likely be slower than his previous outings. A more attractive alternative could be Richard Hughes’ five‑year‑old Whip Cracker, who enjoys a much better stall four draw and performed well at Chester in the spring. The conditions should suit him on his first attempt over 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 time on the Equicizer as part of my ongoing rehabilitation after the fall injuries I suffered at Bath in May.
The team at Oaksey House continue to provide invaluable support in my journey to regain full fitness, although it remains too early to predict when I will be back in the saddle for real races.