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 prestigious £500,000 Ebor Handicap. If you can look past his underwhelming performance in the Old Newton Cup at Newmarket last month, Klassleader deserves serious consideration 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 his dominant mile‑and‑a‑half handicap win at this venue back in May suggests he handles the track comfortably when rated at 98. Alan King’s Daiquiri Bay, fresh from a brilliant run in the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot, looks well‑suited to the extra quarter‑mile today. The colt is familiar with the Knavesmire, having produced a gallant third in last season’s Melrose Stakes over the same course and distance, and he has drawn a favorable low post position. Another contender showing promise is Willie Mullins’ Love Me Tender, a German‑bred who has demonstrated a liking for soft ground.
Though William Buick’s mount is making his handicap debut over a distance he has never attempted, the horse’s prior form suggests he could rise to the occasion. I would also love to see Eve Johnson‑Houghton’s Zavateri claim victory in the Group One Sky Bet City of York Stakes (3.00).
Zavateri is a proven Group‑level performer and still relatively fresh after a encouraging run behind Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes. He previously secured a Group One win in the National Stakes at two, beating Gstaad on yielding ground, making him a more attractive option than Godolphin’s accomplished miler Notable Speech. Zavateri’s speed over seven furlongs should serve him well on his first attempt at that trip, although his rating is high and he will need to prove himself after a disappointing effort on a firmer surface at Ascot in the Queen Anne, where he was beaten by Ten Bob Tony.
Ed Walker’s colt will relish the softer conditions and could confirm his form. Japan’s elegant Satono Reve is another intriguing prospect after narrowly missing out in the Group One Jubilee at Royal Ascot. This will be his first time tackling the York distance, and I am slightly concerned about the soft ground, which he has never faced before.
The Group Three Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (1.50) at York could be dominated by the reliable Irish‑trained Geryon, who already boasts a win at this level. Ger Lyons’ grey captured the Meld Stakes over nine furlongs at Leopardstown this summer and then displayed a powerful finish in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. Dropping back in distance suits him, and he has shown no aversion to slower ground, as evidenced by his chase of Hawk Mountain in the Group Two Beresford Stakes as a two‑year‑old. Market favourite Damysus, who likes to settle near the front, was bumped in the Group Two York Stakes last month, finishing behind this week’s Juddmonte International winner Item.
The addition of cheekpieces could give him an edge, but he will have to concede seven pounds to my preferred runner. It was wonderful to watch my husband Tom and trainer William Haggas secure the Great Voltigeur on Wednesday with the elegant Maltese Cross. I hope they can add another major staying prize with Infraad.
Infraad impressed in a Class Two handicap at the Goodwood Festival, suggesting he will relish the stamina test of the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (2.25) at York. A seven‑pound weight increase to 97 should not hinder a colt who appears to be a pattern performer in the making. I can envision him out‑classing the seasoned Limestone, a proven Group winner who recently triumphed in the Queen’s Vase. Backing progressive types like Infraad requires a top‑class jockey, and Joseph O’Brien fits the bill.
He will not be deterred by the testing conditions, a sentiment echoed by Andrew Balding’s Newbury winner Mythical Bay, who prefers 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 straight‑track victory on Wednesday.
Even with a five‑pound penalty, he looks capable of handling the softer surface. I am also a fan of Tim Easterby’s Red Spells Danger, who arrives at the Knavesmire after an impressive Shergar Cup Sprint win two weeks ago. He must overcome a six‑pound penalty on slower ground, but his progressive running style should help him find a solution.
David O’Meara’s Toca Madera, who finished third behind Air Force One on Day Two, is a fast sprinter but has struggled to hit a consistent rhythm. He may have to settle for a place finish rather than a win. 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 broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing this Saturday. Championship leader Billy Loughnane will partner the Meydan handicap winner who has performed well in Group races this year but has yet to lead the field.
He is a solid option, though he will need to give everything to keep Lazy Griff at bay. Charlie’s colt was 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. Although he failed to fire in the Goodwood Cup after a Listed win at Sandown in July, he could prove a tough nut to crack from an attacking draw in stall three.
George Boughey’s exciting Asuka has drawn 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‑back stall twelve if this smart 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 better stall four draw and performed well at this track in the spring.
The conditions should suit him on his first attempt at this type of trip since his novice win three years ago. On a personal note, it felt fantastic to be back on a horse this week, even if it was a mechanical one at Oaksey House in Lambourn. I spent time on the Equicizer as part of my ongoing rehabilitation after the injuries I sustained in the fall at Bath back in May. The team at Oaksey House continues to provide invaluable support in my quest to regain full fitness, although it is still too early to determine when I will be back in the saddle for real races.