Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle offers her seasoned perspective on the highlights at York and Chester this Saturday, with a particular focus on the lucrative £500,000 Ebor Handicap. If you can overlook Klassleader’s modest effort in the Old Newton Cup at Newmarket last month, the horse should definitely be on your shortlist for the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (3.35) at York. My husband Tom Marquand argued that the horse struggled with the undulating terrain that day, yet the way Klassleader vindicated his favoritism in a mile‑and‑a‑half handicap at York back in May suggests he is well‑handicapped at a rating of 98.
Alan King’s Daiquiri Bay had a brilliant day in the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot and appears poised to stay the extra quarter‑mile comfortably. He is no stranger to The Knavesmire, having produced a gallant third over the same course and distance in last season’s Melrose Stakes, and he has been allocated a favourable low draw.
Another horse worth watching is the Willie Mullins entry Love Me Tender, a fascinating German import who has shown a liking for soft ground. Though William Buick’s mount is making his handicap debut over a distance he has never contested, the filly has plenty to prove and could improve markedly. I would also love to see Eve Johnson‑Houghton’s Zavateri take the Group One Sky Bet City of York Stakes (3.00).
Zavateri is a proven performer at this level and a relatively fresh contender whose effort behind Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes was encouraging. He previously captured the Group One National Stakes as a two‑year‑old on yielding ground, defeating Gstaad, and now presents a more appealing option than Godolphin’s brilliant miler Notable Speech. The faster the pace, the better for Zavateri on his first attempt over seven furlongs. While he sets a high standard in the ratings, he still has something to prove after a disappointing run on a firmer surface at Ascot in the Queen Anne, where he was beaten by Ten Bob Tony.
Ed Walker’s colt should relish the softer conditions and can at least confirm the form. Japan’s classy entire Satono Reve is another intriguing contender after a near‑miss in the Group One Jubilee at Royal Ascot.
He is tackling this distance for the first time, but I am concerned about the soft ground, as he has never faced such demanding conditions. Ireland could claim the Group Three Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (1.50) at York with the reliable Geryon, who already boasts winning form at this level.
Ger Lyons’s grey secured the Meld Stakes over nine furlongs at Leopardstown this summer and then displayed gun‑fire form in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. Dropping back in distance suits him, and he appears unfazed by slower ground, as demonstrated when he chased home the classy Hawk Mountain in the Group Two Beresford Stakes as a juvenile. Market rival Damysus also likes to get his toe in and was bumped into by a Group Two York Stakes runner last month, finishing behind this week’s Juddmonte International hero Item. The addition of cheekpieces could give him a boost, but he will have to concede seven pounds to my preferred horse.
It was wonderful to watch my husband Tom and William Haggas win the Great Voltigeur on Wednesday with the gorgeous Maltese Cross, and I hope they can add another staying prize with Infraad. I loved the way Infraad nailed a Class Two handicap at the Goodwood Festival, suggesting he will relish the greater 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 who looks like a pattern performer in the making, and I can see him overcoming the class‑dropping Limestone, a proven Group winner in a handicap after his success in the Queen’s Vase.
Giving so much weight to progressive types like Infraad demands a lot from Joseph O’Brien’s star, yet the testing conditions should not inconvenience him – a sentiment that also applies to 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 game‑style win on the straight track on Wednesday.
Even with a five‑pound penalty, he looks capable of handling the slower going. Nevertheless, I am a big fan of Tim Easterby’s Red Spells Danger, who arrives at The Knavesmire fresh from an impressive Shergar Cup Sprint victory two weeks ago. He must overcome a six‑pound penalty on slower ground, but his progressive nature should allow him to find the answer. David O’Meara’s Toca Madera finished third behind Air Force One on Day Two and rebounds quickly.
He is a sprinter in good form but has yet to hit his peak, so he may have to settle for a place finish. Godolphin’s By The Book and Charlie Johnston’s Classic‑placed Lazy Griff appear 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 partners this Meydan handicap winner, who has performed well in Group races this year without ever leading.
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. He failed to fire in the Goodwood Cup after a Listed win at Sandown in July, yet 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 this clever 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 back 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 – albeit on a mechanical horse at Oaksey House in Lambourn. I spent a session on the Equicizer as part of my ongoing rehabilitation after the fall injuries I suffered at Bath in May. The team at Oaksey House continues to provide invaluable support in my quest to regain full fitness, though it is still too early to predict when I will be back riding competitively.