Kevin Blake of Sky Sports Racing has laid out a trio of recommendations as the Ebor Festival at York draws to a close with another fiercely contested card on Saturday, the fourth day of the meeting. The week has been marked by less‑than‑ideal weather at York, leaving the going softer than usual and adding an extra layer of difficulty for both jockeys and horses. Nevertheless, Blake remains optimistic that the weekend can end on a positive note for punters who have stuck with the festival.
The first race to watch is the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes, scheduled to kick off at 1:50 p.m. Among the runners, the most attractively priced contender is the Hamad Al Jehani‑trained colt Archivist. Long‑time followers of Blake will remember that he backed this horse in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot earlier in the season.
Although Archivist did not deliver on that occasion, he quickly redeemed himself in his next outing, conquering a daunting draw of twenty in the Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood. Not only did he overcome the unfavorable barrier, but he did so comfortably, signalling that he is ready to compete at stakes level. The Strensall Stakes, run over the same distance and on a comparable surface, should suit Archivist nicely. The softer ground at York is unlikely to hinder his performance, and while his post position is a little further out than ideal, the generous odds make the risk worthwhile.
Blake expects a strong, possibly front‑running effort from the colt, and a big win would not be a surprise given his recent form. The next race Blake highlights is the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap, slated for a 4:10 p.m. start.
This is another highly competitive sprint handicap, but Blake’s eye is on the Andrew Balding‑trained filly Dance In The Storm. The betting market has been unusually supportive of her across her four starts this season, suggesting that many believe she is operating above the level of a typical handicapper. Dance In The Storm has already secured two victories out of four attempts over seven furlongs, but Blake notes that she appears to be improving and may be ready to step down to a shorter distance.
A change in trip could unlock further progress, as the filly has shown the ability to accelerate sharply when asked. Although she will have to face a career‑high weight in this handicap, the combination of a potentially more suitable distance and her evident class makes her a compelling choice for bettors looking for value. Finally, Blake turns his attention to the concluding race of the day, the Sky Bet Dav Reid Finale Handicap at 5:20 p.m. His pick for this event is the Ger Lyons‑trained four‑year‑old Diego El Queso.
Diego El Queso has been on an upward trajectory all season. He captured a handicap at Leopardstown in April with an impressive performance, then enjoyed a 12‑week spell that likely served as a much‑needed rest. Upon returning to the track, the horse produced a remarkable run, finishing second to Thread Of Gold in a valuable Leopardstown handicap.
That runner‑up finish was a clear indicator of his latent ability, especially since the winner has continued to improve since that race. Diego El Queso was also well‑regarded for a similar contest at Glorious Goodwood, but an incident in that race prevented him from achieving a better placing, although he still managed a respectable sixth‑place finish.
Blake believes that Diego El Queso possesses the talent to exceed the performance he displayed at Goodwood. The combination of York’s course layout, the distance of the Dav Reid Finale Handicap, and the forgiving ground conditions all appear to play to his strengths. Consequently, Blake anticipates that the horse will make a bold bid for a winning position, potentially delivering a satisfying payoff for those who back him. In summary, Blake’s day‑four selections are: 1.
**Archivist** in the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes – a well‑priced, stakes‑capable colt who has already proven he can overcome tough draws and soft ground. 2. **Dance In The Storm** in the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap – a promising filly whose recent form suggests she may thrive over a shorter sprint, despite carrying a higher weight. 3.
**Diego El Queso** in the Sky Bet Dav Reid Finale Handicap – a four‑year‑old with a progressive record, poised to capitalize on York’s favorable conditions and the race’s distance. Racing enthusiasts are encouraged to keep an eye on the evolving odds and the latest race‑day insights, as these picks could provide solid returns in what has been a challenging yet thrilling week at York’s Ebor Festival.