York Ebor Festival Day 4 (Saturday) race rundown and betting tips

Saturday marks the final day of the York Ebor Festival 2025, and I’m back with my horse racing tips and betting preview after covering the action all week.

Day 4 is always one of the highlights of the calendar, headlined by the historic Ebor Handicap, alongside a strong supporting card packed with competitive racing.

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Joe’s best York Ebor Festival Day 3 (Friday) betting tips

• 1.50 Gladius – 13/2 each way with bet365
• 2.25 Cape Breton – 20/1 with Ladbrokes
• 3.00 Rosallion – 13/8 NAP with Coral
• 3.35 Ethical Diamond – 6/1 each way with bet365
• 4.10 Two Tribes – 13/2 each way with bet365
• 4.45 Silent Applause – 9/2 each way5.20 Westridge 7/2 NEXT BEST with bet365

*odds correct at time of writing and subject to change.

I’ve gone through the form to pick out my best bets at York on Saturday, highlighting horses that look well-handicapped, progressive types to follow, and big-priced outsiders who could run into the places. Whether you’re looking for Ebor Festival Saturday tips, value betting angles, or just want a trusted preview of the day’s racing, I’ve got you covered.

I’ll look into every race in detail, with odds provided by the best UK horse racing betting sites.

York 1.50 Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (Group 3) 1m1f

• 10 of the last 12 winners were aged 4 or older
• 5 of the last 12 winners were favourites or joint favourites
• 10 of the last 12 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
• 9 of the last 12 winners were rated 110 or higher

The Strensall Stakes is always competitive, so there are a few in with a chance, but I have to admit I didn’t think GLADIUS would be as big as 13/2, as he looks the obvious value for Andrew Balding.

The yard won this last year with See The Fire, and this colt by Night Of Thunder has looked progressive, winning 3 from 4 to date. He looked good winning at Glorious Goodwood last time, and if continuing his upward trajectory, could come out on top again.

Bowmark is definitely interesting for John and Thady Gosden, and looks like the obvious danger. He struggled last time, but I’d put a line through that, and he would be dangerous if bouncing back. King’s Gambit got going too late at Royal Ascot, but he has been priced accordingly here.

Bet on GLADIUS each way at 13/2 with bet365

York 2.25 Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 1m6f

• 3 of the last 12 winners were favourites or joint favourites
• 11 of the last 12 winners carried 9 stone 3lb or less
• 0 of the last 12 winners had at least 1 previous win at York
• 9 of the last 12 winners had a rating between 85 and 95

The Melrose has thrown up quite a few double-figure priced winners down the years, and as you can see from the trends, the market principals are often worth avoiding. I’ve decided to take a chance on CAPE BRETON bouncing back at a huge price.

This son of Frankel looked good winning at Salisbury and then wasn’t disgraced at Glorious Goodwood, just doing too much too soon on that occasion. It will be interesting to see if Kingscote goes forward on hi,m as Tarriance from the same owner has shown plenty of pace too. He might do even better if he gets a trial in.

Tarriance is probably one of the main dangers under Colin Keane, but don’t rule out a big run from Golden Handshake as well, as he is on a hat-trick and is another one getting better with experience.

Bet on CAPE BRETON each way at 20/1 with Ladbrokes

York 3.00 Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (Group 1) 7f

• 5 of the last 12 winners were aged 3
• 7 of the last 12 winners were aged 4 or older
• 6 of the last 12 winners were favourites or joint favourites
• 11 of the last 12 winners had a rating of 104 or higher

The City of York Stakes is quite simple for me! If the real ROSALLION turns up, then he will be too good for this field. He has done little wrong this season, finishing an excellent third in the Lockinge on return before going close at Royal Ascot.

Qirat was then used as a pacemaker in Sussex, but slipped out of the field. The selection closed strongly lat,e but the winner had flown. This track will suit and he clearly has plenty going for him again here.

Never So Brave arrives on a hat-trick and could threaten most. He did well to win at Royal Ascot and then followed up in the Summer Mile. He has more to come, so he should be the one to chase the favourite home.

Bet on ROSALLION to win at 13/8 with Coral

York 3.35 Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 1m6f

• 11 of the last 12 winners were aged between 4 and 6
• 2 of the last 12 winners were favourites
• 10 of the last 12 winners carried between 9 stone 1lb and 9 stone 9lb
• 10 of the last 12 winners had a rating of 101 or higher

Hippop De Loire is likely to be sent off favourite for the Ebor, but favs do have a pretty poor record in this race, and his less fancied stablemate ETHICAL DIAMOND might be the one to side with. He is a strong travelling horse who impressed, winning the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes when last seen.

He is still massively lightly raced, and I bet they have had this in mind for a long time. William Buick has been booked, and connections are clearly anticipating a big run.

Plenty of dangers in a race of this nature, and Majestic Warrior could go well at a big price. He has won 3 from 4 starts to date and was nicely on top at Thirsk when well backed. Put away, since if he manages to settle better, he could outrun his odds. Shadow Dance is another big each-way player.

Bet on ETHICAL DIAMOND each way at 6/1 with bet365

York 4.10 Sky Bet Constantine Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 6f

Trainer Richard Spencer is certainly getting the best out of TWO TRIBES now, and you’d be foolish to rule out the hat-trick here. That was a big effort to run down Classic at Ascot, and then he followed up with a minimum of fuss in the Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood.

Granted, the handicapper has reacted, but he could come there cruising again with Ryan Moore booked, and he is worth staying on the right side of for now, at least.

Jubilee Walk ran a big race to finish second to Elmonjed here when last seen, and that form could see him as the danger. Pocklington also ran well in that rac,e so if building on that again is another one you could see getting competitive at the very least.

Bet on TWO TRIBES each way at 13/2 with bet365

York 4.45 Julia Graves Roses Stakes (Listed) 5f

I know SILENT APPLAUSE was entitled to win at Nottingham last month, but he has backed that up since justifying strong support to win at Haydock last time. He ran on strongly that day and looks a horse improving all the time now.

This requires more stepping into a listed company, but Ryan Moore is in the saddle, and he has as much potential as any horse in this race, so at 9/2 is worth chancing to complete the hat-trick.

Buick saddles Military Code, and he is best forgiven for that run at Glorious Goodwood last month. His form before that was decent, and he could be capable on a going day. Dickensian also promises to do better and is another one likely to have a say in the finish.

Bet on SILENT APPLAUSE each way at 9/2 with William Hill

York 5.20 Sky Bet Steve Birch Finale Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 1m21/2f

With 2 wins from his last 3 WESTRIDGE is looking progressive. I thought it was a poor ride that got him beaten at Windsor, and he put that right to win emphatically at Glorious Goodwood last time. He is a strong stayer with a turn of foot, and that can prove a potent combination, especially at this sort of level. He is trading as a favourite but that is with good reason and I think he can win again.

Greek Order certainly hasn’t been running badly and wouldn’t need to find much more to have a say in this. He sees the danger under Oisin Murphy. Marhaba Ghaiyyath has recent form figures of 2122, so if in the same mood, it’s another one to note as well.

Bet on WESTRIDGE to win at 7/2 with bet365

My top tip for Saturday’s racing at the Ebor Festival

If ROSALLION brings his strongest form, then he will win the City Of York Stakes convincingly. I can see him proving popular in the betting so take the 13/8 now. I have doubled him up with WESTRIDGE in the lucky last as the latter looks progressive and is arguably unlucky not to be arriving on a four-timer.

Bet a Win Double on ROSALLION and WESTRIDGE at 10/1 with bet365

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