Kevin Blake of Sky Sports Racing shares his three top picks as the Ebor Festival at York draws to a close with an exceptionally competitive fourth day on Saturday. The meeting has been hampered by unsettled weather, leaving the turf softer than usual and adding an extra layer of difficulty for both jockeys and horses.
Despite these challenges, Blake hopes the final day will provide a strong finish to an otherwise unpredictable week. The first race that catches Blake’s eye is the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes, scheduled to start at 1:50 p.m. Among the entries, the most intriguing and arguably over‑priced is Archivist, trained by Hamad Al Jehani. Long‑time followers of Blake will remember that he backed Archivist in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot.
Although the horse fell short on that occasion, he quickly redeemed himself in his next start, conquering a daunting draw of 20 in the Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood. Not only did he overcome that seemingly impossible position, but he did so with a comfortable margin, signalling that he was ready to compete at stakes level.
Blake believes the York track and the race distance suit Archivist perfectly. The softer ground should not pose a serious problem for the colt, and while his draw is a little wider than ideal, the odds on offer are so generous that a strong, forward‑running performance would not be surprising at all. In short, Archivist represents a value play that could yield a sizeable return if he can secure a clear run and unleash his proven turn of foot. The second selection comes in the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap, slated for a 4:10 p.m.
start. This race is another fiercely contested sprint handicap, but Blake is inclined to back Dance In The Storm, trained by Andrew Balding.
The betting market has been unusually enthusiastic about the filly, having placed her among the favourites in each of her four starts this season. Such consistent backing suggests that punters view her as more than a typical handicap horse.
Dance In The Storm has already shown versatility by winning two of her four races over seven furlongs this year. However, Blake notes that she appears to be improving and may be ready to drop back to a shorter distance.
The step down could unlock further progress, as the filly has already demonstrated a high level of class at longer trips. Although she faces a career‑high weight in this sprint, the change in distance might suit her natural speed and allow her to finish strongly.
Blake finds her an intriguing prospect and believes she merits serious consideration from anyone looking for a solid place or even an outright win. The final pick for the day is the Ger Lyons‑trained Diego El Queso in the Sky Bet Dav Reid Finale Handicap, which kicks off at 5:20 p.m.
This four‑year‑old has shown a steady upward trajectory. He captured a handicap at Leopardstown in April with an impressive performance, then disappeared from the scene for twelve weeks—likely a spell to consolidate his development. Upon returning, he produced a remarkable effort, finishing second to Thread Of Gold in a valuable Leopardstown handicap, a form that has been highlighted by the winner’s subsequent successes.
Diego El Queso was also well‑fancied for a similar contest at Glorious Goodwood, but the race did not unfold in his favour. Despite a chaotic run, he still managed to finish sixth, indicating that he possesses the class to compete at a higher level when conditions align. Blake points out that the combination of York’s track layout, the distance of the race, and the forgiving ground should play to Diego El Queso’s strengths. Given his progressive form and the experience he has accumulated, Blake expects the horse to make a bold bid for a rewarding placing, potentially delivering a profitable payoff for those who back him.
In summary, Blake’s day‑four recommendations focus on three horses that combine proven ability with favorable conditions at York. Archivist offers a value proposition in the Strensall Stakes, Dance In The Storm provides a promising sprint option in the Constantine Handicap, and Diego El Queso looks set to capitalize on his recent form in the Dav Reid Finale Handicap. Each selection reflects Blake’s assessment of how the softer ground, race distances, and individual horse profiles intersect, giving punters a clear set of choices to consider as the Ebor Festival reaches its climax.