Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle offers her seasoned perspective on Saturday’s highlights at York and Chester, with a particular focus on the £500,000 Ebor Handicap. If you can look past Klassleader’s lackluster run in the Old Newton Cup at Newmarket last month, the horse deserves serious consideration for the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (3.35) at York on Saturday.
My husband Tom Marquand suggested the horse struggled with the undulating terrain that day, yet his performance in a mile‑and‑a‑half handicap at the same venue back in May demonstrated that he thrives when given a rating of 98. That past display gives me confidence that Klassleader is well‑placed to make an impact this weekend. Alan King’s Daiquiri Bay also looks promising after a brilliant showing in the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The colt handled the extra quarter‑mile with ease and is no stranger to The Knavesmire, having produced a gallant third in last season’s Melrose Stakes over the same distance and course. A favourable inside draw should further enhance his chances. Another contender worth noting is the Willie Mullins trainee Love Me Tender.
This German‑bred has a proven record on soft ground, but William Buick will be eager to prove himself on his handicap debut over a distance the horse has never attempted before. The combination of a fresh rider and a versatile runner could make for an intriguing upset. I would also love to see Eve Johnson‑Houghton’s Zavateri claim victory in the Group One Sky Bet City of York Stakes (3.00). Zavateri has already demonstrated top‑class ability, most recently finishing strongly behind Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes.
As a two‑year‑old, he captured the Group One National Stakes on yielding ground, beating Gstaad, and he appears a more attractive option than Godolphin’s impressive miler Notable Speech. Zavateri’s pedigree suggests he should excel over seven furlongs, and while his rating is high, he still has something to prove after a disappointing run on firmer ground at Ascot’s Queen Anne, where he was beaten by Ten Bob Tony. Trainer Ed Walker’s colt will relish the softer conditions and could confirm the form. From Japan, the elegant Satono Reve is a fascinating prospect after narrowly missing out in the Group One Jubilee at Royal Ascot.
This will be his first attempt at the Ebor distance, and although his class is evident, the soft ground could pose a challenge as he has never faced such demanding conditions. Ireland may take 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 secured the Meld Stakes over nine furlongs at Leopardstown this summer and then displayed a powerful turn of foot in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. Dropping back in distance suits him, and his proven ability on slower ground was evident when he chased down Hawk Mountain in the Group Two Beresford Stakes as a juvenile. Market rival Damysus, a horse that likes to press the pace, also merits attention. He finished close behind this week’s Juddmonte International winner Item in the Group Two York Stakes last month.
The addition of cheekpieces could sharpen his focus, but he will have to concede seven pounds to my preferred choice. It was a pleasure to watch my husband Tom and trainer William Haggas secure the Great Voltigeur on Wednesday with the elegant Maltese Cross. I hope they can add another prestigious staying prize to their tally with Infraad. The colt impressed in a Class Two handicap at the Goodwood Festival, suggesting he will relish the stamina test offered by the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (2.25) at York.
A seven‑pound rise to a rating of 97 should not hinder a colt that is beginning to show a pattern of consistent performance. I can envisage him beating the class‑dropping Limestone, a proven Group winner who has already succeeded in a handicap after triumphing in the Queen’s Vase. Backing progressive types like Infraad requires a touch of Joseph O’Brien’s brilliance, though the testing conditions should not deter him. The same can be said for Andrew Balding’s Newbury winner Mythical Bay, who thrives on easy ground.
Air Force One is aiming to complete a memorable Ebor Festival double in the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap (4.10) after a dominant straight‑track victory on Wednesday. Even with a five‑pound penalty, he looks capable of handling the softer surface. 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 will need to overcome a six‑pound increase on slower ground, but his progressive nature suggests he can find the answer. David O’Meara’s Toca Madera, who finished third behind Air Force One on Day Two, is a fast sprinter who tends to settle poorly.
He may have to settle for a place finish rather than a win. 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 broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing this Saturday.
Championship leader Billy Loughnane will partner the Meydan handicap winner, a horse that has performed well in Group races this year without ever taking the lead. He is a solid option but will need to give his all to keep Lazy Griff at bay. 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.
Though he failed to fire in the Goodwood Cup after a Listed win at Sandown in July, 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 bit of luck from stall 12 if the smart 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’s five‑year‑old Whip Cracker, who enjoys a better draw in stall four and performed well at this track in the spring.
The conditions should suit him on his first attempt at this type of trip since his novice win three years ago. On a personal note, it felt wonderful 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 that 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 predict when I will be back in the saddle for real races.