Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle offers her seasoned perspective on the highlights of Saturday’s meetings at York and Chester, with a particular focus on the prestigious £500,000 Ebor Handicap. If you can look past Klassleader’s disappointing 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 argued that the horse struggled with the undulating terrain that day, yet the way Klassleader validated his status as a favourite in a mile‑and‑a‑half handicap at York back in May suggests he is well‑rated at a mark of 98 and should be given a fair chance.
Alan King’s Daiquiri Bay, fresh from a bright performance in the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot, looks capable of staying the extra quarter‑mile. He is no stranger to The Knavesmire, having produced a gallant third in last season’s Melrose Stakes over the same course and distance, and he benefits from a favourable low draw. Another contender worth watching is the Willie Mullins‑trained Love Me Tender. The German‑bred mare has shown a liking for soft ground and has a winning record in that condition.
However, William Buick’s mount is making his handicap debut over a distance he has never contested, so there is an element of uncertainty about how she will adapt. I would also love to see Eve Johnson‑Houghton’s Zavateri capture the Group One Sky Bet City of York Stakes (3.00). Zavateri is a proven Group‑level performer and remains relatively fresh after a promising run behind Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes. He proved his class early in his career by winning the Group One National Stakes on yielding ground, defeating Gstaad, and he now appears a more attractive option than Godolphin’s brilliant miler Notable Speech.
Zavateri’s speed over seven furlongs should serve him well on his first attempt at the distance, though his rating sets a high benchmark. He still has something to prove after a lackluster effort on a firmer track at Ascot in the Queen Anne, where he was beaten by Ten Bob Tony.
Ed Walker’s colt will relish the softer conditions at York and could confirm the form. Japan’s elegant Satono Reve is another intriguing entry after a near‑miss in the Group One Jubilee at Royal Ascot.
Although this will be his first run over the Ebor distance, the main concern is the soft ground, a condition he has yet to encounter, which could expose a weakness. The Group Three Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (1.50) at York is likely to be dominated by the reliable Irish‑trained Geryon, who already boasts a win at this level. Ger Lyons’s grey won the Meld Stakes over nine furlongs at Leopardstown this summer and then produced a powerful performance in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. Dropping back in distance suits him, and he has shown no fear of soft ground, as demonstrated when he chased home Hawk Mountain in the Group Two Beresford Stakes as a two‑year‑old.
Market rival Damysus, a horse that likes to be in the mix, was bumped in the Group Two York Stakes last month, finishing behind this week’s Juddmonte International winner Item. Adding cheekpieces could improve his chances, but he will have to concede seven pounds to my preferred selection. It was wonderful to watch my husband Tom and trainer William Haggas claim the Great Voltigeur on Wednesday with the elegant Maltese Cross.
I hope they can add another staying prize with Infraad. Infraad impressed in a Class Two handicap at the Goodwood Festival, suggesting he will relish the longer test of stamina offered by the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (2.25) at York. A seven‑pound rise to a rating of 97 should not deter a colt who is shaping up to be a pattern performer. I can see him out‑classing the class‑dropping Limestone, a proven Group winner in a handicap after his success in the Queen’s Vase.
Giving weight to progressive types like Infraad requires a top‑class jockey, and Joseph O’Brien would be ideal, though the testing conditions should not trouble him. The same can be said for Andrew Balding’s Newbury winner Mythical Bay, who thrives on easy ground.
Air Force One is aiming for a memorable Ebor Festival double by targeting the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap (4.10) after a dominant win on the straight track on Wednesday. Even with a five‑pound penalty, he looks likely to stay on the form.
I am also a fan of Tim Easterby’s Red Spells Danger, who arrives at The Knavesmire after an impressive victory in the Shergar Cup Sprint two weeks ago. He faces a six‑pound increase on softer ground, but his progressive nature should allow him to find a solution. David O’Meara’s Toca Madera, who finished third behind Air Force One on Day Two, is a fast sprinter who tends to bounce back quickly.
He may not be hitting his peak yet, so a place finish could be realistic. 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 that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing on Saturday. Championship leader Billy Loughnane partners this Meydan handicap winner, who has performed well in Group races this year but has yet to lead from the front.
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 after finishing a length and a half behind Epsom hero Lambourn in the Chester Vase, failed to fire in the Goodwood Cup after a Listed win at Sandown in July. Nevertheless, an attacking draw from stall three could make him a tough nut to crack. 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 the far‑outside stall 12 if this talented colt hopes to complete a hat‑trick on ground that will be slower than his previous outings. A more promising alternative might be Richard Hughes’ five‑year‑old Whip Cracker, who enjoys a much better stall‑four draw and ran well at this venue in the spring. The softer conditions should suit him on his first attempt at this type of trip since his novice win three years ago. On a personal note, I was thrilled to be back on a horse this week, even if it was a mechanical one at Oaksey House in Lambourn.
I spent a session on the Equicizer as part of my ongoing rehabilitation from the injuries I sustained in the fall at Bath back in May. The team at Oaksey House continue 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.