Kevin Blake of Sky Sports Racing has put forward three selections as the Ebor Festival at York draws to a close on the fourth day, 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 both jockeys and horses. Nevertheless, Blake hopes the final day can provide a positive finish to an otherwise challenging week.
The first race to watch is the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes, scheduled to start at 1:50 p.m. Among the entries, the most attractively priced contender is Archivist, trained by Hamad Al Jehani.
Archivist may be familiar to long‑time followers of Blake’s columns; he was Blake’s pick for the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot, a race that did not go his way. However, his subsequent performance at Glorious Goodwood proved his mettle. Starting from a daunting draw of 20 in the Golden Mile, Archivist not only navigated the traffic but did so with a clear margin, signalling that he was ready to compete at stakes level.
The Strensall Stakes, with its similar distance and a surface that is yielding rather than heavy, should suit his running style. While his post position is not ideal, the price on the market is generous enough to make a bold front‑running effort an attractive proposition.
The next race on the card is the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap at 4:10 p.m., a highly competitive sprint. Blake’s attention turns to Dance In The Storm, a filly trained by Andrew Balding. The betting market has consistently backed her in each of her four starts this season, suggesting that punters view her as being above the typical handicap level.
She has already claimed two victories over seven furlongs this year, but her recent workouts indicate she may be sharpening for a shorter trip. A reduction in distance could unlock further improvement, allowing her to display her turn of foot more effectively.
Although she will need to overcome a career‑high weight assignment, the combination of her proven class and the potential for a distance drop makes her a compelling candidate for a place, if not an outright win. The final pick of the day comes in the Sky Bet Dav Reid Finale Handicap, which kicks off at 5:20 p.m.
Blake backs Diego El Queso, trained by Ger Lyons. This four‑year‑old has shown a steady upward trajectory, capturing a handicap at Leopardstown in April with a decisive finish. Following that victory, he was sidelined for approximately twelve weeks, a period that often indicates a horse has been given a rest or a brief spell to recover.
Upon returning to the track, Diego El Queso produced an impressive run, finishing second to Thread Of Gold in a valuable handicap back at Leopardstown. That performance was further validated when the winner, Thread Of Gold, continued to excel in subsequent races. Diego El Queso was also entered in a comparable race at Glorious Goodwood, where a mishap prevented a better placing, yet he still managed to finish sixth, catching the eye of observers. Given his proven ability to handle the Leopardstown course, the distance of the Dav Reid Finale Handicap, and the forgiving ground conditions, Diego El Queso appears primed to make a strong bid for a placing and possibly a win.
His recent form suggests that the time away from racing may have left him fresher than some of his rivals, and the combination of experience, class, and suitability to the going could see him finish on the board. Overall, Blake’s three selections each have distinct narratives that justify a look from punters. Archivist offers value in a stakes‑level race after a standout performance at Goodwood; Dance In The Storm could benefit from a distance change that plays to her speed; and Diego El Queso appears ready to capitalize on a favorable combination of course, distance, and ground. As the day unfolds, the softening track will continue to test the field, but these three horses provide a solid foundation for anyone hoping to end the Ebor Festival on a high note.