Kevin Blake of Sky Sports Racing has laid out a trio of recommendations as the Ebor Festival at York draws to a close with a fiercely contested fourth day on Saturday. The meeting has been hampered by a spell of unsettled weather, leaving the going softer than usual and adding an extra layer of difficulty for trainers and jockeys alike. Assuming the horses handle the conditions, there is still a chance to end the week on a positive note.
The first race to watch is the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes, scheduled to start at 1:50 p.m. Among the runners, the most intriguing value appears to be the Hamad Al Jehani‑trained Archivist.
Long‑time followers of Blake’s columns will remember that he tipped this colt in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot. Although the horse didn’t manage to deliver on that day, he rebounded spectacularly in his very next outing, conquering a daunting draw of 20 in the Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood. Not only did he overcome the wide barrier, but he did so with a comfortable margin, signalling that he is ready to compete at stakes level. York’s course and the one‑mile distance should suit Archivist nicely.
The softer ground, while not ideal for every runner, is unlikely to be a major hindrance for him. He has drawn a slightly wider post than he would prefer, but the price on the board is so generous that a strong, front‑running effort would not be surprising at all. In short, Blake believes a big run from Archivist is well within the realm of possibility. The second pick comes from the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap, which kicks off at 4:10 p.m.
This race is another highly competitive sprint handicap, but Blake has his eye 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 punters view her as being above the typical handicap level.
Dance In The Storm has already claimed two victories out of four starts over seven furlongs this year, but her recent performances hint that she may be ready to drop back in distance. Although she will need to overcome a career‑high weight assignment, the shorter trip could unlock a fresh burst of speed and allow her to showcase a higher level of ability. Blake describes her as a “really interesting contender” and feels that the combination of her proven class, the potential for a more suitable distance, and the forgiving ground make her a worthy candidate for backing. The final recommendation of the day is for the Sky Bet Dav Reid Finale Handicap, slated for a 5:20 p.m.
start. Here Blake backs the Ger Lyons‑trained four‑year‑old Diego El Queso.
The horse has shown a clear upward trajectory, having captured a handicap at Leopardstown in impressive fashion back in April. After that win, he was off the track for roughly twelve weeks, a spell that often indicates a horse has been given a spell of rest or a change in training routine. Upon returning to the racecourse, Diego El Queso produced a strong performance, finishing second to Thread Of Gold in a valuable Leopardstown handicap. That runner‑up finish was a clear indicator of his ability, especially as Thread Of Gold has continued to improve and dominate subsequent races.
Diego El Queso was also well‑supported for a similar race at Glorious Goodwood, but the race did not unfold in his favour; nevertheless, he still managed a respectable sixth place, catching the eye of observers. Blake argues that Diego El Queso possesses more ability than his Glorious Goodwood run suggested. The combination of York’s undulating track, the one‑mile distance, and the soft going all appear to play to his strengths.
Consequently, Blake expects him to launch a bold bid for a winning effort and possibly deliver a much‑needed compensation win for his connections. In summary, Kevin Blake’s four‑day Ebor Festival outlook centres on three horses that he feels offer both value and genuine winning potential. Archivist is a long‑shot with a proven ability to handle challenging draws and a price that makes a front‑running victory attractive.
Dance In The Storm could thrive when dropped back to a sprint, capitalising on her class and the forgiving ground. Finally, Diego El Queso looks primed to translate his recent form into a decisive win at York, given the suitable conditions and distance. Racing enthusiasts are encouraged to keep an eye on these selections as the day unfolds, and to consider the broader context of the softer turf and the competitive nature of each handicap when placing their bets.