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 a spell of unsettled weather, leaving the turf softer than usual and adding an extra layer of difficulty for both horses and jockeys.
Despite those challenges, Blake hopes the final day can deliver a positive finish to an otherwise testing week. The opening race of the day, the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes scheduled for 1:50 p.m., features a horse that Blake believes is currently priced well above his true ability: Archivist, trained by Hamad Al Jehani. Long‑time followers of Blake will recall that he backed the same colt in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot earlier in the season.
Although Archivist did not manage to deliver a winning performance on that occasion, he quickly redeemed himself in his next outing, conquering a daunting draw of 20 in the Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood. Not only did he overcome that seemingly impossible barrier, he did so comfortably, signalling that he had the class to compete at stakes level. The Strensall Stakes offers a familiar distance and course conditions that should suit Archivist nicely.
The ground, while softer than ideal, is not expected to hinder his running style. He draws a little wider than his optimal gate, but given the odds on his head, the extra ground covered is a manageable compromise.
Blake anticipates a strong, sustained run from the colt and does not rule out the possibility of a decisive victory. Moving on to the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap at 4:10 p.m., Blake points his attention to another highly competitive sprint.
His pick for this race is Dance In The Storm, trained by Andrew Balding. The betting market has been unusually enthusiastic about the filly, backing her heavily in each of her four starts this season. That level of confidence suggests that many observers view her as being above the typical handicap standard. Dance In The Storm has already claimed two wins from four starts over seven furlongs this year, showing a clear aptitude for the longer sprint distance.
However, Blake believes that the shorter trip offered by the Constantine Handicap could unlock an even higher level of performance. The filly is currently carrying a career‑high weight, but the reduction in distance may allow her to demonstrate a burst of speed that has not yet been fully realized. Her recent form, combined with the tactical advantage of a potentially lighter weight assignment, makes her an intriguing contender worthy of serious consideration. The final recommendation of the day comes in the Sky Bet Dav Reid Finale Handicap at 5:20 p.m., where Blake backs Diego El Queso, trained by Ger Lyons.
The four‑year‑old gelding has shown a clear upward trajectory this season. He captured a handicap at Leopardstown in April with an impressive finish, then endured a 12‑week layoff that likely served as a strategic spell. Upon returning to the track, Diego El Queso produced a remarkable performance, finishing second to Thread Of Gold in a valuable Leopardstown handicap, a result that has been highlighted repeatedly in recent form guides. Although he entered a similar race at Glorious Goodwood as a favorite, the event did not unfold as planned, and he ultimately finished sixth.
Blake argues that the horse’s performance was still commendable given the circumstances and that the race merely failed to play to his strengths. With the softer ground at York and a distance that aligns well with his proven stamina, Diego El Queso appears poised to make a strong bid for a winning run. His progressive form, combined with the suitability of the course and conditions, suggest that he could deliver a bold and rewarding performance. In summary, Blake’s day‑four selections reflect a blend of seasoned insight and strategic optimism.
Archivist offers value in the opening stakes race, Dance In The Storm presents a compelling case for a step‑up in a sprint handicap, and Diego El Queso stands ready to capitalize on a favorable set of circumstances in the finale. Racing enthusiasts are encouraged to keep an eye on these horses as the Ebor Festival draws to a close, hoping that the final day can indeed finish the week on a high note.