Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle offers her seasoned perspective on Saturday's highlights at York and Chester, with particular emphasis on the prestigious £500,000 Ebor Handicap. If you can look past Klassleader's less-than-ideal showing in the Old Newton Cup at Newmarket last month, the horse deserves serious consideration for the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (3.35) at York this Saturday. 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 York back in May suggests he is comfortably rated at 98 and should be well‑handled on that mark. Alan King’s Daiquiri Bay enjoyed a moment of glory in the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot and appears poised to stay the extra quarter‑mile with confidence.
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 benefits from a favourable low draw this time around. Another contender worth watching is the Willie Mullins entry Love Me Tender, an intriguing German‑bred who has shown a liking for softer ground. Though William Buick’s mount is making his handicap debut over a distance he has never contested, the filly’s prior form on yielding surfaces could give her the edge.
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 top level and remains relatively fresh after a promising run behind Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes. As a two‑year‑old, Zavateri secured the Group One National Stakes on yielding ground, beating Gstaad, and now presents a more attractive option than Godolphin’s brilliant miler Notable Speech. The faster the pace, the better for Zavateri on his first try over seven furlongs, yet despite his high rating he still needs to prove himself after a disappointing effort on a firmer Ascot track 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 classy whole‑blood Satono Reve is another intriguing prospect after narrowly missing out in the Group One Jubilee at Royal Ascot. Though this will be his first attempt over the Ebor distance, my main concern is the soft ground; he has never encountered such demanding conditions, which could blunt his normally sharp turn of foot. Ireland may claim the Group Three Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (1.50) at York with the reliable Geryon, a horse that already possesses winning form at this level.
Ger Lyons’s grey captured the Meld Stakes over nine furlongs at Leopardstown this summer and then displayed a gun‑running style in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. Dropping back in distance suits him perfectly, and he shows no aversion to slower ground, as demonstrated when he chased down the classy Hawk Mountain in the Group Two Beresford Stakes as a two‑year‑old.
Market rival Damysus also enjoys a toe‑the‑line style and was bumped in the Group Two York Stakes last month, finishing behind this week’s Juddmonte International winner Item. Adding cheekpieces could improve his performance, but he will have to concede seven pounds to my preferred pick.
It was thrilling 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 impressed in a Class Two handicap at the Goodwood Festival, delivering a performance that suggests he will relish the greater stamina test offered 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 appears to be a pattern performer in the making. I can envision him beating the class‑dropping Limestone, a confirmed Group winner who stepped down to handicap form after triumphing in the Queen’s Vase.
Assigning significant weight to progressing types like Infraad demands a top‑class rider; Joseph O’Brien would be ideal, though the testing conditions should not trouble him. The same can be said for Andrew Balding’s Newbury winner Mythical Bay, who thrives on 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 victory on Wednesday. Even with a five‑pound penalty, he looks set to perform well. Nevertheless, I am a strong supporter of Tim Easterby’s Red Spells Danger, who arrives at The Knavesmire fresh from an impressive win in the Shergar Cup Sprint two weeks ago.
He must overcome a six‑pound increase on slower ground, but his progressive nature should allow him to find the answer. David O’Meara’s Toca Madera, who finished third behind Air Force One on Day Two, is a quick‑turning sprinter.
Though he lacks consistency, 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 being broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing this Saturday. Championship leader Billy Loughnane will partner the Meydan handicap winner, a horse that has performed admirably in Group races this year without ever leading. 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 Epsom hero Lambourn in the Chester Vase. Though he failed to fire in the Goodwood Cup after a Listed win at Sandown in July, he remains a tough competitor, especially 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 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 much better draw in stall four and performed well at this track back in the spring. The conditions should suit him on his first attempt 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 a session 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 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.