Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle offers her seasoned perspective on the highlights at York and Chester this Saturday, with a particular focus on the £500,000 Ebor Handicap. If you can overlook his 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. My husband Tom Marquand argued that the horse struggled with the track's undulating terrain that day, yet his dominant mile‑and‑a‑half handicap win at York in May suggests he is well‑handled at a rating of 98. Alan King’s Daiquiri Bay, fresh from a sun‑lit victory in the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot, appears poised to stay the extra quarter‑mile with confidence.
The bay 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 benefits from a favourable low draw. Another contender worth monitoring is Willie Mullins’ Love Me Tender, a German‑bred who has thrived on soft ground. Though William Buick’s mount is making his handicap debut over a distance he has never contested, the horse’s proven adaptability could make him a surprise factor. I would also love to see Eve Johnson‑Houghton’s Zavateri take the Group One Sky Bet City of York Stakes (3.00).
The colt has already proven his class at this level, and his recent run behind Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes was encouraging. Zavateri captured the Group One National Stakes as a two‑year‑old on yielding ground, beating Gstaad, and he now looks a more attractive option than Godolphin’s brilliant miler Notable Speech. Speed favors him on his first seven‑furlong attempt, but despite a high rating he still has something to prove after a disappointing showing on the firmer Ascot surface in the Queen Anne, where he was beaten by Ten Bob Tony. Ed Walker’s colt should relish the softer conditions and could confirm the form.
Japan’s elegant Satono Reve is another intriguing prospect after a near‑miss in the Group One Jubilee at Royal Ascot. He is stepping up in distance for the first time, but the soft ground could be a concern as he has never faced such testing conditions. Ireland may claim the Group Three Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (1.50) at York with the reliable Geryon, who already boasts a win at this level.
Ger Lyons’s grey captured the Meld Stakes over nine furlongs at Leopardstown this summer and later produced a bold effort in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. Dropping back in distance suits him, and he has shown no fear of soft ground, as demonstrated when he chased down Hawk Mountain in the Group Two Beresford Stakes as a juvenile. Market favourite Damysus also enjoys a front‑running style and was a factor in the Group Two York Stakes last month, finishing behind this week’s Juddmonte International winner Item.
The addition of cheekpieces could enhance his performance, although he would need to concede seven pounds to my preferred choice. It was wonderful to watch my husband Tom and trainer William Haggas secure the Great Voltigeur on Wednesday with the stunning Maltese Cross, and I hope they can add another major staying prize 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 rise to 97 should not hinder a colt who appears to be a pattern performer.
I can see him out‑classing the dropping‑class Limestone, a proven Group winner in a handicap after his success in the Queen’s Vase. Backing progressive types like Infraad demands a strong ride from Joseph O’Brien, though the testing conditions should not trouble him, a sentiment echoed for Andrew Balding’s Newbury winner Mythical Bay, who prefers easy ground. Air Force One aims to complete a memorable Ebor Festival double by contesting the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap (4.10) after a commanding straight‑track victory on Wednesday. Even with a five‑pound penalty, he looks likely to stay on well.
I am also a fan of Tim Easterby’s Red Spells Danger, who arrives at the Knavesmire after an impressive Shergar Cup Sprint win two weeks ago. He faces a six‑pound penalty on softer ground but possesses the progressive stamina to cope.
David O’Meara’s Toca Madera, who finished third behind Air Force One on Day Two, is a fast sprinter who rebounds quickly. He may not be hitting his peak form yet, so a place finish could be realistic.
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 Roodee races broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing on Saturday. Championship leader Billy Loughnane will partner the Meydan handicap winner, a horse that has performed well in Group races this year but has yet to lead from the front.
He is a solid option but will need to give his all to beat Lazy Griff. Charlie’s colt placed in both the English and Irish Derbies last year, finishing just a length and a half behind Epsom hero Lambourn in the Chester Vase. He failed to fire in the Goodwood Cup after a Listed win at Sandown in July, yet he could prove a tough nut to crack from an attacking draw in stall three.
George Boughey’s exciting Asuka draws a tricky stall in the Class Two Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap (2.05) at Chester on Saturday. Billy Loughnane will need a lucky ride from stall 12 if this talented colt hopes to complete a hat‑trick on ground that will be slower than his previous outings.
A more promising alternative might be Richard Hughes’ five‑year‑old Whip Cracker, who enjoys a better stall‑four draw and ran 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, it felt fantastic to be 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 injuries I sustained in the fall at Bath in May.
The team at Oaksey House continues to provide invaluable support in my journey to regain full fitness, although it is still too early to predict when I will be back in the saddle for real races.