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 lackluster showing in the Old Newton Cup at Newmarket last month, the horse should certainly earn a place on your shortlist for the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (3.35) at York this Saturday. My husband Tom Marquand explained that the horse simply didn’t cope with the undulating terrain that day, yet the way Klassleader vindicated his favoritism in a mile‑and‑a‑half handicap at this very course back in May suggests he is still well‑handicapped at a rating of 98. Alan King’s Daiquiri Bay enjoyed a moment in the sun when he captured the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot, and the extra quarter‑mile to the Ebor distance should suit him nicely.
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 has drawn a favourable low stall for today’s race. Another horse worth watching is the Willie Mullins trainee Love Me Tender. The German‑bred filly has shown a penchant for soft ground and comes into the race with a winning record on yielding surfaces. However, she will be making her handicap debut under William Buick, and the trip is one she has never contested before, so there is an element of intrigue surrounding her performance.
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 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 as a two‑year‑old on yielding ground, beating Gstaad, and he now appears a more attractive option than Godolphin’s brilliant miler Notable Speech. Zavateri’s best chances come when the pace is strong, which should suit his first attempt over seven furlongs.
Although his rating is high, he still has something to prove after a disappointing effort on the firmer ground 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 well confirm the form.
Japan’s classy whole‑blood Satono Reve is another interesting contender. He narrowly missed out in the Group One Jubilee at Royal Ascot and will be tackling the Ebor distance for the first time.
My only concern is the soft ground, a condition he has never faced, and which could expose a vulnerability. The Group Three Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (1.50) at York looks ripe for an Irish winner, with the reliable Geryon offering a solid option. Geryon already possesses a win at this level and has demonstrated consistency throughout the season.
Ger Lyons’s grey horse captured the Meld Stakes over nine furlongs at Leopardstown this summer in convincing fashion before turning in a galloping performance in the Gordon Stakes at the Goodwood Festival. Dropping back in distance plays to his strengths, and the soft ground does not appear to be a problem, as evidenced by his earlier victory over Hawk Mountain in the Group Two Beresford Stakes as a two‑year‑old. Market rival Damysus also enjoys a reputation for being keen to get a good position early. He 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 tactical edge, but he will have to concede seven pounds to my preferred pick. It was a pleasure to watch my husband Tom and trainer William Haggas secure the Great Voltigeur on Wednesday with the elegant Maltese Cross, and I hope they can add another staying triumph with Infraad.
Infraad impressed in a Class Two handicap at the Goodwood Festival, indicating he will relish the longer test of stamina presented by the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (2.25) at York. A seven‑pound increase to a rating of 97 should not hinder a colt who is shaping up to be a pattern performer.
I can see him prevailing over the class‑dropping Limestone, a proven Group winner who has already succeeded in a handicap after his Queen’s Vase victory. Handicapping progressive types like Infraad requires a strong hand from jockey Joseph O’Brien, yet the testing conditions should not trouble him. The same can be said for Andrew Balding’s Newbury winner Mythical Bay, who prefers easy ground.
Air Force One is aiming to complete a memorable Ebor Festival double by targeting the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap (4.10) after a dominant straight‑track win 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 fresh from an impressive Shergar Cup Sprint victory two weeks ago.
He will need to overcome a six‑pound increase on slower ground, but his progressive running style suggests he can find the answer. David O’Meara’s Toca Madera, who finished third behind Air Force One on Day Two, is a quick‑turning sprinter. He may not be hitting his peak form at the moment, so a place finish could be a realistic target. 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 that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing this Saturday.
Championship leader Billy Loughnane will partner a 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, though he 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 a close finish behind Lambourn in the Chester Vase, failed to fire in the Goodwood Cup after a Listed win at Sandown in July. Nevertheless, he could prove a tough nut to crack from an attacking draw in stall three.
George Boughey’s promising 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 have to rely on luck from the far‑back stall 12 if this clever colt is to complete a hat‑trick on ground that is likely to be slower than his previous outings. A potentially better bet is Richard Hughes’s five‑year‑old Whip Cracker, who enjoys a more advantageous draw in stall four and ran well at this course back in the spring. The softer 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 was thrilled 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 my fall at Bath 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.