Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle offers her seasoned perspective on the highlights at York and Chester this Saturday, with a special focus on the £500,000 Ebor Handicap. If you can look past his lackluster performance in the Old Newton Cup at Newmarket last month, Klassleader deserves serious consideration for the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (3.35) at York. My husband Tom Marquand noted that the horse struggled with the undulating terrain that day, yet the way Klassleader vindicated his status as a favourite over a mile and a half at this very track in May suggests he thrives under a rating of 98.
Alan King’s Daiquiri Bay, fresh from a brilliant run in the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot, looks poised to handle the extra quarter mile with ease. The horse is no stranger to the Knavesmire, having produced a gallant third in last season’s Melrose Stakes over the same distance, and has been allocated a favorable inside draw.
Another contender showing promise is the Willie Mullins entry Love Me Tender. This German‑bred has demonstrated a liking for soft ground, but William Buick’s mount is making his handicap debut over a distance the horse has never attempted before, meaning there is still plenty to prove.
Eve Johnson‑Houghton’s Zavateri would be a delight to see win the Group One Sky Bet City of York Stakes (3.00). Zavateri is a proven Group‑level performer and, after a respectable run behind Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes, appears to be in good form. The colt captured the Group One National Stakes as a two‑year‑old on yielding ground, beating Gstaad, and currently presents a more attractive option than Godolphin’s accomplished miler Notable Speech. The faster they go, the better for Zavateri on his first attempt over seven furlongs.
Although his rating sets a high benchmark, he still needs to confirm his ability after a disappointing showing on the firmer surface at Ascot’s Queen Anne Stakes, where he was beaten by Ten Bob Tony. Ed Walker’s colt should relish the softer conditions and could well validate his form.
Japan’s elegant Satono Reve is another intriguing prospect after a near‑miss in the Group One Jubilee at Royal Ascot. While this will be his inaugural run over the longer trip, the soft ground could prove a challenge, as he has never faced such demanding conditions before. Ireland may claim the Group Three Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (1.50) at York with the dependable Geryon, who already boasts a win at this level.
Ger Lyons’s grey, who secured the Meld Stakes over nine furlongs at Leopardstown this summer and subsequently displayed a powerful finish in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood, appears well‑suited to a shorter distance. He has shown no hesitation on slow ground, as evidenced by his victory over Hawk Mountain in the Group Two Beresford Stakes as a juvenile. Market rival Damysus, a horse that likes to be placed prominently, was bumped in the Group Two York Stakes last month, finishing behind this week’s Juddmonte International winner Item. The addition of cheekpieces could give him an edge, but he will be conceding seven pounds to my preferred selection.
It was a pleasure to watch my husband Tom and trainer William Haggas capture 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 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 who is shaping into a consistent performer; I can envisage him out‑classing the drop‑in‑class Limestone, a proven Group winner who succeeded in the Queen’s Vase.
Backing progressive types like Infraad requires a strong hand from Joseph O’Brien, yet the testing conditions should not pose a problem for him, just as they will not trouble Andrew Balding’s Newbury winner Mythical Bay, who prefers easy ground. Air Force One is aiming for a memorable Ebor Festival double by targeting the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap (4.10) after a dominant straight‑track victory on Wednesday. Even with a five‑pound penalty, the horse looks capable of handling the slower going. Nevertheless, I am also a fan of Tim Easterby’s Red Spells Danger, who arrives at the Knavesmire fresh from an impressive Shergar Cup Sprint win two weeks ago.
He must overcome a six‑pound increase on softer ground, but his progressive profile suggests he can adapt. David O’Meara’s Toca Madera, who finished third behind Air Force One on Day Two, is a quick‑turning sprinter. While he is in form, he has yet to deliver a decisive win and may have to settle for a place finish.
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. Championship leader Billy Loughnane will partner the Meydan handicap winner, a horse that has performed admirably in Group races this year but has yet to lead the field. He is a solid option, though he will need to give his all to beat Lazy Griff.
Charlie’s colt was placed in both the English and Irish Derbies last year, finishing just a length and a half behind Epsom champion Lambourn in the Chester Vase. Although he failed to fire in the Goodwood Cup after a Listed win at Sandown in July, he could prove a tough 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 on Saturday. Billy Loughnane will need a bit of luck 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 attractive alternative might be Richard Hughes’ five‑year‑old Whip Cracker, who enjoys a better inside draw in stall four and ran well at this track 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 felt fantastic returning to the saddle this week, even if it was a mechanical horse at Oaksey House in Lambourn.
I completed a session on the Equicizer as part of my ongoing rehabilitation after the injuries I sustained in a fall at Bath back in May. The team at Oaksey House continues to provide invaluable support in my quest to regain full fitness, although it remains too early to determine when I will be back riding competitively proper.