AUTHOR: Star Sports Content
STAR RACING PREVIEW: York Ebor Festival 2026
A glorious week of sport awaits us, writes WILLIAM KEDJANYI.
Thanks to the brilliant management of William Derby and his team, this has become one of the best weeks of the racing year, and we once again have a phenomenal four days to look ahead to.
The opening day’s Juddmonte delivers us a mouthwatering clash between the generations as last year’s winner Ombudsman faces the Eclipse winner Constitution River, with a host of high-class horses in opposition including Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Almqam, the York Stakes winner Item and progressive French raider Zaydann. We also have a rematch between leading 12-furlong colts Maltese Cross, Christmas Day, and Pierre Bonnnard in the Great Voltigeur just beforehand.
There’s a high-quality renewal of the Yorkshire Oaks to look forward to on Thursday as King George winner Kalpana faces wide-margin Irish Oaks winner Johanna Walsh and Minnie Hauk, bidding to get her season back on track, whilst the progressive Tattycorn and Moody are taking a shot at this prize after impressive last-time-out wins.
The speedsters will provide thrills in the Nunthorpe on Friday, whilst we also have the Gimcrack and Lonsdale Cup, and on Saturday the Ebor is supported by the City of York, now upgraded to Group 1 status.
⭐ STAR SPORTS RACING MARKETS ⭐
💈 1:50 – Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (4yo+) 5½f
One of many fiendishly difficult handicaps to begin the week, although with five places on offer there’s plenty of each/way value to be had. There may be no prizes for picking out Stratusnine and Toca Madera – they were second and fifth in the Stewards’ Cup last time out – but they have a lot of the best form in this field and are proven over the Knavesmire. Stratusnine was unlucky not to have taken a valuable handicap back in May over the bare five, and since then he’s put together a succession of excellent efforts, including victory in the Sky Bet Dash and a close second in the Stewards’ Cup. If he maintains that level here then whatever wins will have to beat him and 9/1 is more than fair about his chances.
Toca Madera was arguably the most unlucky horse in the Stewards’ Cup – he was repeatedly short of room at a crucial stage and got a whip across his nose once in the clear – so his fifth can be marked up. He’s got the pace for this track – he was a dead heat fourth earlier in the week over 5 furlongs at the Glorious meeting in another valuable handicap, and he’s on a basically unchanged mark.
💈 2:25 – Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (Group 3) (IRE Incentive Race) (Class 1) (2yo) 7f
A race with plenty of good recent horses who have taken glory, including Chaldean and Gewan, the latter who we sadly haven’t seen this year. Andrew Balding’s record in this race means that Gentle Hurricane – who got the better of debut winner Soldier of the Sea on his debut at Salisbury – needs serious respect and he’s an interesting each/way contender, but Haffner sets a strong standard on his Vintage Stakes second and should take all the beating.
Beaten by Group 2 runner-up Abraham Lincoln on his debut (Richmond winner Man’s Best Friend was in fourth), he looked like a pattern horse when winning smoothly at Newmarket’s July course and lost nothing in defeat when a close runner-up at Goodwood, setting a level that much of the field has failed to match. Given what we know about the field, a price of 13/8 at the time of writing seems very reasonable.
💈 3:00 – Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings) (Class 1) (3yo) 1m4f
This is a fascinating clash between Grand Prix de Paris winner Maltese Cross, Derby winner Christmas Day, and Irish Derby third Pierre Bonnard, whilst the progressive Superior Choice and Galiyan shouldn’t be underestimated either.
Maltese Cross and Christmas Day have to carry 5lb Group 1 penalties, tightening up this field on paper, and considering the prices and the bigger targets ahead for the two Group 1 winners in the field, it may be a race that’s best left for betting purposes although it should be a fascinating watch.
🏆 3:35 – Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo+) 1m2½f
The race of the day and arguably the week here. It’s worth saying that this isn’t a two-horse race – impressive York Stakes winner Item and the Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Almaqam deserve their chances, whilst the fact Francois-Henri Graffard sends Zaydann here is worth noting (he was presented by Daryz last year, albeit that he didn’t put his best foot forward).
However, it is clear that Ombudsman is the horse to beat. One of the world’s best over 10 furlongs, he was brilliant when taking this last year from a Ballydoyle 3yo in Delacroix, and he was sensational when slamming a high-quality field including Arc winner Daryz and the reopposing Almaqam by four lengths at Royal Ascot and all his form sets a standard that Constitution River must reach. There’s no doubt that Aidan O’Brien’s three year old, a gutsy winner of the Prix du Jockey Club and a smooth winner of the Coral Eclipse, is obviously hugely talented and represents a new test, but this is a different level to what was a weak looking Eclipse (second favourite Gethin disappointed, fourth placed Saddadd was well behind Almaqam) and the likely strong pace here will only play into Ombudsman’s hands. Based on all that we know, the defending champion gets the call.
Item’s one disappointment in his career came in a soft ground Derby that didn’t suit him – he’s worth looking at in markets without the top two, or for each/way betting, given that he loves it here and the Sky should be the limit given how little racing he’s had.
💈 4:10 – Sky Bet Stayers Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (3yo+) 2m½f
Small Fry ran out of time and space in a valuable Glorious Goodwood handicap but his time looks due any day now and a step up in trip and this long straight should be just the ticket. He finished his race far stronger than Valedictory did that day and looks a worthy favourite even against the progressive Kirchener, who has relished a step up to 2 miles for James Owen.
💈 4:45 – Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo 0-105) 5f
As many would expect, there are tons of chances here, including several from a similar race at Glorious Goodwood, where Naana’s Shadow beat Miss Yechance, Baker Blue, Manatee Mehmas, Schrodinger’s Cat, Old Is Gold, Shes Got A Brother and Call Margot.
They all have their chance but the strongest form is surely held by Poatan, who was third in one of the best sales races of last season behind the subsequent Group 3 winners Calendar Girl and Song of the Clyde, and ahead of subsequently Group 1 placed Brussels. He returned with a creditable third in a Listed contest at Sandown, and if he’s taken a step forward from that then he’s a fine each/way chance.
💈 5:20 – Sky Bet Nursery Handicap (Class 2) (2yo) 6f
Nearly impossible to work out as one would expect of this kind of contest. Dubai Champion is the obvious place to start after just being caught close home at Glorious Goodwood, with Sovereign Glory, Super Tuscana and The Dancing Pirate to boot. All of them have their chances whilst Ruler’s Pride found the drop back to 5 furlongs too much in the Molecomb and – along with God Given Talent – might still prove to be slightly better than a handicapper. God Given Talent is perhaps the most interesting at the prices at the time of ri
💈 THURSDAY 💈
Libertango has done very little wrong, and she’ll take plenty of beating in the Lowther (1.50) based on her impressive wins in a maiden at Leicester and the Albany Stakes before a close second to Queen Mary runner-up Senorita Bonita in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket’s July meeting. That form has been franked by a smooth success for third-placed Alwaysanangel at Cork, and the strength of the Queen Mary form only puts her Newmarket July course effort in a better light.
Irish raiders Livenka and Star of State, Ascot Group 3 winner Moonrise, Alice Keppel winner Wild Blossom (whose debut defeat of Crownbreaker now looks far more impressive following Crownbreaker’s pattern success at Deauville).
The Harry’s Half Million By Goffs (2.25) is a fascinating and high-quality race which has the slightly unusual presence of two Group winners at the head of affairs, including Phoenix Stakes winner Sun Goddess and Prix Robert Papin winner Tokaido. They set a very imposing standard for the rest of the field, even with their penalties – and the fact Sun Goddess can get 5lbs from Tokaido massively turns things in her favour.
Of the each/way shouts, Where Love Lives looks overpriced after a sound run in the Richmond Stakes. He’d disappointed slightly at Ascot when only midfield in the Norfolk Stakes but beforehand he’d beaten the highly creditable Adaay of Scarlett in the National Stakes at Sandown and his last time out effort was a very solid stable debut for Donnacha O’Brien and the booking of Billy Loughnane looks to be a coup on top of that.
There will be plenty of interest in Bullet Point, who was back to something like the form that saw him win this race last year off a 1lb lower mark when second in the Shergar Cup Mile last time. Current favourite Centigrade impressed on his seasonal return at Southwell and has a lot of impressive form in the book, so he has his chance. Mezcala was a game Royal Ascot winner who will be right in the thick of things if overcoming his disappointment last time, whilst Eternal Force was very highly thought of before this season – he went off 4/1 for Lincoln – and if he puts his best foot forward he’s potentially still well handicapped enough to make an impact.
Spell Master didn’t finish his race as strong as his John Smith’s Cup sixth suggested he should do at Goodwood but maybe the drop back to this trip might be another help and he didn’t have the best of runs there.
Kalpana gets a strong vote to win a first Group 1 away from Ascot and a fourth in total. Her King George performance, when beating the top-class Calandagan, is the standout piece of form this season amongst this Yorkshire Oaks (3.35pm) field, she’s tremendously uncomplicated, very tough, will have no issues with any rain and is now a much more reliable conveyance than Minnie Hauk, who we have seen at her best just once this season.
Johanna Walsh, a dominant winner of the Irish Oaks from Inis Mor, Sparan Nua, Earth Shot and Sugar Island, looks to be the clear biggest threat if she repeats that effort – there had previously been just a head between Johanna Walsh and Earth Shot at Royal Ascot in the Ribblesdale. Tattycorn was a revelation in the Lancashire Oaks and has to be respected although she’ll need to improve even on that to be in the shake-up here. Legacy Link probably ran too soon at Ascot after a gruelling second to Thundering On in the Oaks, but that form doesn’t stack up as well now and others make more appeal.
In the Galtres (4.10), there’s a battle between potential and proven form and A La Prochaine arguably has both after her Oaks fourth on only her third start. She’s been presumably saved for this and with more to come she’s a tantalising proposition here although Morrophore, Rhapsody, Without Prejudice, Vauntingly, Prizeland and Seacombe all need respect in an open contest.
With better luck in running the former especially, Mia Fantasia and Rising Tiger look obvious prospects for the nursery (4.45). Rooskie got the better of Rising Tiger at Southwell when they last met and meets him on the same terms, so perhaps he shouldn’t be a big double-figure price, and Revels could well have his form boosted on the opening day. Weleyeff is well entered up and has the potential to be much better than his opening mark – it’s interesting too that Perfect Nation was sent off favourite to beat Flann Sunna on his debut and has since won two novices in succession.
The closing fillies handicap features a whole host with chances. Group 3 winner Royal Velvet caught the eye considering her respectable runs in pattern company the last twice. Conor Whiteley takes off 5lbs, and at the current prices she’s well worth having each/way. Starlight Lass brings lots of potential and Albadyaa’s form is very solid, although this can be said about lots of contenders in the race.
💈 FRIDAY 💈
At the time of writing, we don’t have draws and final field confirmation. The most appealing contender for Friday’s opener (1.50) at the moment is Outback Heat, a close second in the Britannia at Royal Ascot on just his fourth start.
The sad retirement of the awesome Trawlerman has left the Yorkshire Cup (2.25) wide open. Many of the contenders have questions to answer and Caballo De Mar, if back to his best form, would be the choice although the race isn’t terribly appealing.
In the Gimcrack (3.00), Mrair might have a good deal more to give after not getting a clear run in the Coventry behind Adaay of Scarlett. Arapho Gold’s Rose Bowl Stakes win has been boosted since by the next four home and he won’t be far ahead – it will be fascinating to see if Marco Polo runs for Ballydoyle – he was a big eyecatcher on his debut when sent off at 14/1, making ground up hand over fist towards the line.
Mussab was an eyecatcher in the Norfolk when third at 66/1, although that work behind the impressive winner hasn’t worked out so well since then.
This year’s Nunthorpe (3.35) is a trappy and fascinating affair where Bacio will take plenty of catching based on his romp home in the Palace of Holyrood Stakes at Royal Ascot. He should love the Knavesmire here and might prove too quick – American Affair is a favourite of mine, and it was great to see him back to his best at Glorious Goodwood with Asfoora fourth – but like a number of the contenders here he does much of his best work late on. Rayveka was just caught by Mission Central in the King Charles at Royal Ascot, and both should be right there based on this field, whilst this ought to suit Night Raider but he’s been disappointing the last twice.
The juvenile Pershaada was a dominant winner of the Molecomb at Glorious Goodwood and is of interest based on that success and her fourth in the Queen Mary, which has been boosted nicely since. Redorange took a course and distance listed prize last time out and could go well at a price.
Al Aza has already been jocked up for the 1m4f Heritage Handicap (4.10), and he is likely to go off much shorter than his current price when the final field is confirmed. A close second to subsequent group winner Enceladus in the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot, he romped home over that same course and distance next time out and should have a huge chance if stepping forward once again. Diego El Queso had a horror trip at Glorious Goodwood and has more to give if this trip works out whilst Master Builder was right back to form when landing a 1m4f handicap at the Dante and he’s worth a second look.
The Convival (4.45) is a notebook race which will shape up closer to the time. George Boughey has booked Jamie Spencer for the ride on Sharpen in the closing fillies handicap (5.20) whilst he’s nabbed Ryan Moore for a spin on Lady Dora Mae to boot. They have to be of interest whilst Janey Mackers’ profile catches the eye in a fairly notable way too.
💈 SATURDAY 💈
The Strensall Stakes (1.50) looks trappy with a number of horses having realistic form chances. Damysus looks the right favourite but there’s not likely to be much between him, Perisica and Geyron, especially at the weights and Hankelow’s French Guineas third looks much better now.
Limestone showed a tremendous attitude to take the Queen’s Vase and is the standout in the Melrose (2.25), with Ryan Moore aboard for Joseph O’Brien. We haven’t seen the best of any of these contenders but this is a drop in class from the Grand Prix de Paris whilst he goes back up in trip and he’s the choice ahead of Mythical Bay, Infraad and Into The Light in a stacked looking renewal.
The City of York (3.00) is a race that’s quickly justified Group 1 status. Considering the fine effort he produced in the Sussex Stakes after his shock success in the Queen Anne, Ten Bob Tony looks like a big each/way price. Zavateri and Lake Forest won’t be far away and Notable Speech’s peak form is the best here, and he has to be considered a worthy favourite.
Every one of the horses that makes it into the Ebor (3.35) must be respected here. The each/way suggestions against the field are Copper Horse Handicap Stakes winner Daiquiri Bay, last year’s runner-up Ascending, and the current favourite Tarriance, who looked to be clearly warming up for this at Goodwood, having enjoyed a break since finding the Lonsdale all too much.
A lot of familiar faces from top sprint handicaps will clash again, including Stewards’ Cup winner Evening Saigon, Shergar Cup winner Red Spells Danger and Scurry Stakes winner Sondad to name just three. The draw and pace will have a big effect and plenty are double entered – Stewards’ Cup winner Evening Saigon and sixth Far Above Dream might be the two to have against the field each/way.
Adonius would be the clear choice in the Roses Stakes at this stage and for the finale handicap (5.20), Rammee, the John Smith’s Cup winner, will take some stopping in his bid to make it a very valuable double although Al Aali, a well-punted winner at Glorious Goodwood, has a lot going for him based on that effort. Both will likely head the market but don’t expect Crest of Fire to be far away at all either.
RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK Stratusnine in the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap (1.50 Ebor Festival, Wednesday) 1 pt each/way at 7/1 (⭐ CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Toca Madera in the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap (1.50 Ebor Festival, Wednesday) 1 pt each/way at 9/1 (⭐ CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Haffner in the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (2.25 Ebor Festival, Wednesday) 2 pts win at 7/4 (⭐ CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Ombudsman in the Juddmonte International Stakes (3.35 Ebor Festival, Wednesday) 4 pts win at 5/4 (⭐ CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Small Fry in the Sky Bet Stayers Handicap (4.10 Ebor Festival, Wednesday) 2 pts win at 5/2 (⭐ CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Poatan in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap (4.45 Ebor Festival, Wednesday) 1 pt each/way at 9/1 (⭐ CLICK TO BET NOW)
PROFIT/LOSS (AUG 2026): +71.39 points
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