Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle offers her seasoned perspective on the highlights slated for York and Chester this Saturday, with particular emphasis on the prestigious £500,000 Ebor Handicap. If you can overlook his lackluster performance in the Old Newton Cup at Newmarket last month, Klassleader deserves a serious look for the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (3.35) at York. My husband Tom Marquand believes the horse struggled with the undulating terrain that day, yet the way Klassleader vindicated his status as a favourite in a mile-and-a-half handicap at the same venue back in May suggests he is comfortably rated at 98 and should be well‑handled on the day. Alan King’s Daiquiri Bay, fresh from a brilliant win in the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot, appears perfectly suited to the extra quarter‑mile this race demands.
The colt is no stranger to The Knavesmire, having produced a gallant third in last season’s Melrose Stakes over the identical course and distance, and he has been allocated a favourable low draw that could prove decisive. Another contender worth noting is the Willie Mullins runner Love Me Tender.
This German‑bred youngster has shown a real affinity for soft ground, but his upcoming ride by William Buick marks his first foray into a handicap over this particular trip. The horse will be eager to prove himself, and the combination of a proven trainer and a top‑class jockey could give him the edge. Eve Johnson‑Houghton’s Zavateri is another horse I would love to see claim victory in the Group One Sky Bet City of York Stakes (3.00). Zavateri has already demonstrated his class at the highest level, and his recent run behind Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes was encouraging.
The colt’s pedigree includes a Group One National Stakes win at two, where he bested Gstaad on yielding ground, making him a more attractive option than Godolphin’s accomplished miler Notable Speech. Zavateri’s versatility over a range of distances is a key asset; he should thrive over seven furlongs, a distance that suits his speed and stamina blend.
Although his rating is high, he still has something to prove 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 can confirm the form on the day. From Japan, the elegant Satono Reve presents an intriguing prospect after a near‑miss in the Group One Jubilee at Royal Ascot.
This will be his first attempt at the Ebor distance, and while his class is undeniable, I am slightly concerned about the soft ground, a condition he has yet to encounter in a race. In the Group Three Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (1.50) at York, the reliable Geryon from Ireland looks poised to take the honors. Ger Lyons’s grey has already proven his mettle at this level, having captured the Meld Stakes over nine furlongs at Leopardstown earlier in the summer and then delivering a bold performance in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood.
Dropping back in distance suits him, and his confidence on slower ground was evident when he chased home the classy Hawk Mountain in the Group Two Beresford Stakes as a two‑year‑old. Market rival Damysus, who likes to be forward‑placed, also deserves a mention. He was a factor in the Group Two York Stakes last month, finishing behind this week’s Juddmonte International winner Item. The addition of cheekpieces could sharpen his focus, but he will have to concede seven pounds to my top pick.
It was a pleasure to watch my husband Tom and trainer William Haggas secure the Great Voltigeur on Wednesday with the stunning Maltese Cross, and I hope they can add another major staying prize with Infraad. Infraad’s recent Class Two handicap win at the Goodwood Festival suggested he thrives when tested over longer trips, and the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (2.25) at York should suit his stamina.
A seven‑pound increase to 97 is unlikely to hinder a colt who is shaping up to be a pattern performer, and I can see him out‑classing the drop‑in Limestone, a proven Group winner in a handicap after his Queen’s Vase triumph. Progressive types like Infraad need the expertise of a top jockey, and Joseph O’Brien’s star power could be decisive, though the testing ground conditions may also favor Andrew Balding’s Newbury winner Mythical Bay, who excels 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 commanding straight‑track victory on Wednesday. Even with a five‑pound penalty, the horse looks set to handle the softer surface.
Conversely, I am a strong supporter of Tim Easterby’s Red Spells Danger, who arrives at The Knavesmire fresh from an impressive Shergar Cup Sprint win two weeks ago. Although he must give away six pounds on slower ground, his progressive nature suggests he will find a way to the finish. David O’Meara’s Toca Madera, who finished third behind Air Force One on Day Two, is a quick‑turning sprinter. While he has shown speed, he has yet to consistently hit the mark in his races, and a place finish may be the most realistic expectation.
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. Championship leader Billy Loughnane will partner this Meydan handicap winner, a horse that has performed well in Group races this year without ever taking the lead.
He is a solid choice 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 season after a narrow defeat to 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 dangerous challenger. George Boughey’s promising Asuka faces a tricky draw in the Class Two Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap (2.05) at Chester.
Billy Loughnane will have to rely on luck from the far‑back stall 12 if this intelligent colt hopes to secure a hat‑trick on ground that will likely be slower than his previous outings. A more attractive alternative might be Richard Hughes’ five‑year‑old Whip Cracker, who enjoys a better stall‑four draw and performed admirably at this track in the spring. The softer conditions should not trouble him as he attempts his first race over this type of trip since his novice win three years ago.
On a personal note, it felt wonderful 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 that 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 remains too early to predict when I will be back in the saddle for real races.