Kevin Blake of Sky Sports Racing shares his three top picks as the Ebor Festival at York draws to a close with another fiercely contested card on Saturday, day four. The week has been marred by unsettled weather at York, leaving the ground softer than usual and adding an extra layer of difficulty for both jockeys and horses.
Nevertheless, Blake hopes the final day can provide a strong finish to an otherwise challenging meeting. The first race that catches Blake's eye is the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes, scheduled to run at 1:50.
Among the entries, the most attractively priced contender is Archivist, trained by Hamad Al Jehani. Long‑time followers of Blake will remember that he backed Archivist in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot; although the horse fell short on that occasion, he rebounded spectacularly in his next start, conquering a daunting 20‑horse field in the Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood. Not only did Archivist overcome the unfavorable draw, he did so with a comfortable margin, signaling his readiness to compete at stakes level.
The Strensall Stakes, with its similar course layout and distance, appears tailor‑made for him, and the soft ground should not pose a serious problem. While his starting gate is slightly wider than ideal, the generous odds make a bold run a plausible scenario, and Blake believes a strong finish from Archivist would be nothing short of expected.
The second selection comes from the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap, slated for 4:10. This race is another highly competitive sprint handicap, and Blake is inclined to back Dance In The Storm, trained by Andrew Balding. The betting market has shown considerable enthusiasm for the filly, who has already contested four runs this season.
The market’s confidence suggests that many view her as being above the typical handicap level. Although she has secured two victories over seven furlongs this year, her recent performances indicate she may be thriving and could be primed for a step down in trip. A shorter distance could unlock further improvement, allowing her to display a turn of foot that has been hinted at but not fully realized.
Despite facing a career‑high weight, the change in distance could prove advantageous, making her a compelling contender worth backing. Finally, Blake turns his attention to the closing race of the day, the Sky Bet Dav Reid Finale Handicap at 5:20.
His pick for this event is Diego El Queso, trained by Ger Lyons. The four‑year‑old has shown a clear upward trajectory, having won a handicap at Leopardstown in April with authority before a twelve‑week spell that likely served as a lay‑off. Upon returning, Diego El Queso delivered a superb performance, finishing a close second to Thread Of Gold in a valuable handicap back at Leopardstown, a form that has been highlighted by the winner’s subsequent achievements.
He was also well‑supported for a comparable race at Glorious Goodwood, but a mishap in that contest saw him finish sixth. Blake believes that the setbacks masked his true ability, and that the combination of York’s course, the race distance, and the forgiving ground conditions should suit him perfectly. He expects Diego El Queso to make a decisive move and secure a rewarding placement, potentially compensating for the earlier disappointment. Overall, Blake’s three selections reflect a blend of proven form, favorable conditions, and strategic insight into how each horse might respond to the unique challenges presented by York’s soft ground and the specific distances of the day’s races.
By focusing on horses that have either demonstrated resilience in previous soft‑going events or possess the adaptability to thrive under such circumstances, Blake aims to provide bettors with value bets that could deliver strong returns as the Ebor Festival reaches its dramatic conclusion. Whether you are a seasoned punter or a casual fan, these picks offer a thoughtful roadmap to navigating the final day’s competitive fields.