Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle offers her seasoned perspective on the highlights slated for York and Chester this Saturday, with a particular focus on the prestigious £500,000 Ebor Handicap. If you can look past Klassleader's lackluster performance in the Old Newton Cup at Newmarket last month, the horse 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 the way Klassleader vindicated his favoritism in a mile‑and‑a‑half handicap at the same venue back in May suggests he is well‑handicapped at a rating of 98. Alan King’s Daiquiri Bay enjoyed a moment of glory in the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot and appears primed to handle the extra quarter‑mile in this race. He is no stranger to the Knavesmire, having produced a gallant third over the same distance in last season’s Melrose Stakes, and he has been allocated a favourable low draw.
Another contender worth watching is the Willie Mullins entry Love Me Tender, a fascinating German import who has demonstrated a knack for soft ground. Although William Buick’s mount is making his handicap debut over a distance he has never contested, his proven ability on yielding surfaces could prove decisive. 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 performer at the highest level and remains relatively fresh after a encouraging run behind Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes. He previously secured a Group One victory in the National Stakes as a two‑year‑old, beating Gstaad on yielding ground, making him an attractive alternative to Godolphin’s brilliant miler Notable Speech. The faster they travel, the better for Zavateri on his first attempt at seven furlongs. While his rating sets a high benchmark, he still has something to prove after a disappointing effort on a much firmer track at Ascot in the Queen Anne, where he was beaten by Ten Bob Tony.
Ed Walker’s colt should relish the softer conditions and could confirm the form. Japan’s elegant Satono Reve is another intriguing prospect after a near‑miss in the Group One Jubilee at Royal Ascot. Although this will be his first time over the Ebor distance, the soft ground could pose a challenge, as he has never faced such demanding conditions before.
Ireland may claim the Group Three Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (1.50) at York with the reliable Geryon, who already boasts a win at this level. Ger Lyons’s grey captured the Meld Stakes over nine furlongs at Leopardstown this summer and then displayed a powerful turn of foot in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. Dropping back in distance suits him, and he shows no fear of slower ground, as demonstrated when he chased down Hawk Mountain in the Group Two Beresford Stakes as a juvenile.
Market rival Damysus also likes to get a good position and was bumped in the Group Two York Stakes 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 choice. It was wonderful to watch my husband Tom and trainer William Haggas win the Great Voltigeur on Wednesday with the stunning Maltese Cross, and 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 increase to a rating of 97 should not hinder a colt who appears to be a pattern performer in the making. I can see him out‑classing the drop‑in‑class Limestone, a proven Group winner who stepped down to a handicap after his Queen’s Vase success.
Assigning significant weight to progressive types like Infraad demands a top‑class rider, and Joseph O’Brien fits the bill. He should not be troubled by the testing conditions, a sentiment that also applies to Andrew Balding’s Newbury winner Mythical Bay, who prefers easy ground.
Air Force One is aiming to complete a memorable Ebor Festival double by contesting the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap (4.10) after a dominant straight‑track win on Wednesday. Even with a five‑pound penalty, he looks likely to stay on the front foot. I am also a big fan of Tim Easterby’s Red Spells Danger, who arrives at the Knavesmire after an impressive Shergar Cup Sprint victory two weeks ago. He faces a six‑pound penalty on softer ground but possesses enough progressive ability to find a solution.
David O’Meara’s Toca Madera, who finished third behind Air Force One on Day Two, is a quick‑turning sprinter. While he may lack the finishing kick to win outright, he could still secure a place‑money share. 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, a horse that has performed well in Group races this year without ever taking the lead. He is a solid option but will need to give his all 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 the Epsom hero Lambourn in the Chester Vase. Though he faded 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 draws a challenging 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 is to complete a hat‑trick on ground that will be slower than his previous outings.
A more appealing alternative might be Richard Hughes’ five‑year‑old Whip Cracker, who enjoys a better draw in stall four 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, I felt a great sense of satisfaction returning to the saddle this week, even if it was a mechanical horse at Oaksey House in Lambourn. I spent a session on the Equicizer as part of my ongoing rehabilitation from the injuries I sustained in a 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 exactly when I will be back in the saddle proper.