Kevin Blake of Sky Sports Racing offers a trio of recommendations as the Ebor Festival at York draws to a close with an exceptionally competitive fourth day on Saturday. The meeting has been hampered by unsettled weather, leaving the going softer than usual and adding a layer of difficulty for the runners.
Nevertheless, Blake hopes the final day can provide a satisfying finish to an otherwise challenging week. The first race that catches Blake's eye is the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes, scheduled for 1:50 p.m.
Among the entries, the horse trained by Hamad Al Jehani, Archivist, appears to be priced beyond his true merit. Blake recalls that he previously backed this colt in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot; although the result was disappointing on the day, the horse rebounded spectacularly in his next start. Facing a daunting post position of 20 in the Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood, Archivist not only overcame the unfavorable draw but did so comfortably, signalling that he was ready to compete at stakes level. The Strensall Stakes, run over a similar distance on a course that should suit his style, offers a perfect platform for him to showcase that form again.
While the ground is softer than ideal, Blake believes it will not pose a serious problem. The colt draws a slightly wider gate than he would prefer, but the price disparity makes the risk acceptable, and a strong finishing run would not be surprising. The second selection comes in the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap, slated for 4:10 p.m.
This race is another highly contested sprint handicap, and Blake is inclined to back Andrew Balding’s filly, Dance In The Storm. The betting market has consistently given her a favourable rating across her four starts this season, suggesting that punters view her as being above handicap class.
Although she has already secured two victories over seven furlongs, her recent performances indicate she could be adaptable to a shorter trip. The step down in distance may unlock further improvement, allowing her to display a turn of foot that has been hinted at but not fully realised. Despite having to overcome a career‑high rating, Blake feels the change in trip could be the catalyst that brings out her best, making her a compelling option for those looking for value. The final pick for the day is the Sky Bet Dav Reid Finale Handicap, which will take place at 5:20 p.m.
Blake recommends the Ger Lyons‑trained four‑year‑old, Diego El Queso. This colt has shown a clear upward trajectory, beginning with a convincing handicap win at Leopardstown in April.
After that triumph, he was off the track for twelve weeks, a spell that likely served as a strategic lay‑off rather than a sign of injury. Upon returning, Diego El Queso produced an impressive run, finishing second to Thread Of Gold in a valuable Leopardstown handicap, a performance that has been highlighted by the winner’s subsequent successes. He was also well‑supported for a similar race at Glorious Goodwood, but an unlucky run saw him finish sixth despite showing plenty of ability. Blake believes that the combination of the York course, the distance, and the forgiving ground conditions will play to the colt’s strengths, allowing him to make a bold bid for a winning price.
His progressive form and demonstrated resilience suggest he is poised to improve on his recent effort and could be the standout of the finale. Overall, Blake’s three selections—Archivist in the Strensall Stakes, Dance In The Storm in the Constantine Handicap, and Diego El Queso in the Dav Reid Finale—reflect a blend of proven form, adaptability to softer ground, and the potential for value when the market has perhaps over‑estimated the odds. As the Ebor Festival reaches its climax, punters looking for a mix of confidence and upside may find these horses worth a closer look.
The softening track adds an extra variable, but each of the three has demonstrated the ability to handle less than ideal conditions, making them credible candidates to finish the festival on a high note.