York Ebor Festival day 1 tips (August 19, 2026)

I always look forward to York’s Ebor Festival and we have potentially the race of the day on Wednesday in the Juddmonte International. Ombudsman, Constitution River and Item lock horns in what looks a thrilling renewal.

There is also the Group 2 Voltigeur Stakes where The Derby 1-2 face off again and we also have the Group 3 Acomb Stakes where some promising 2yos battle it out.

Quick York Ebor Festival day 1 tips (Wednesday, August 19)

• 1.50 The Man – 6/1 each way with Ladbrokes
• 2.25 Gentle Hurricane – 8/1 each way with BoyleSports
• 3.00 Maltese Cross – 2/1 with Paddy Power
• 3.35 Ombudsman – 11/10 with Betfred NAP
• 4.10 Kirchner – 9/2 each way with Coral
• 4.45 Underwriter – 12/1 each way with bet365
• 5.20 God Given Talent – 12/1 each way with William Hill

Joe’s win double: MALTESE CROSS and OMBUDSMAN at 11/2 with bet365

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for York Ebor Festival day 1

Find my top tips for Wednesday 19th August 2026 racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:

York 1.50 Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (4YO plus) 51/2f

Blink and you’ll miss it! We kick off with a fiercely competitive sprint and while I usually try and look away from the top of the market for this one I’m struggling to see past THE MAN for Richard Spencer.

This horse has been out of form of late but he has a C&D win to his name and also went down just a head in this 12 months ago off a 3lb higher mark. He loves it here and should bounce back and go close under David Egan.

Corolla Point travelled like a dream before winning narrowly at Hamilton last time and has been running to a consistent level all season so looks a danger.

Naana’s Sparkle is another one I expect to hit the frame but his mark continues to creep up so from a win perspective this could be hard work.

Bet on THE MAN each way at 6/1 with Ladbrokes

York 2.25 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (2YO only) 7f

I’m not completely sold on Haffner so I’ve decided to take a chance on one at a nice price in the shape of GENTLE HURRICANE.

The yard won this 12 months ago with Gewan and this colt by Invincible Spirit created quite a big impression winning easily on debut. He should improve a fair bit and while he will need to he holds a Group 1 entry so the yard clearly think a lot of him. He may well prove up to the task.

Trean was impressive in Ireland last time but didn’t beat a great deal and this is tougher. Alfred Wallace improved to win at Ascot and if stepping forward again from that could end up emerging as the biggest danger to the selection. Confucius has enough to prove on recent evidence.

Bet on GENTLE HURRICANE each way at 8/1 with BoyleSports

York 3.00 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (3YO only) 1m4f

I know MALTESE CROSS could only finish second to Christmas Day in The Derby but I can see this track suiting him better and he has done very little wrong winning four of his last five starts.

He showed a good attitude to win in France last time and still strikes me as a colt with untapped potential. If he improves again he could defy the penalty and come out on top here.

Christmas Day is definitely dangerous having gone down narrowly to stablemate Benvenuto Cellini last time. He’d probably want more rain to be seen to best effect.

Pierre Bonnard has been ultimately frustrating and even getting weight here could be up against it again.

Bet on MALTESE CROSS to win at 2/1 with Paddy Power

York 3.35 Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (3YO plus) 1m21/2f

Time for the big one now and what a race we have.

OMBUDSMAN has answered every call of late so I’m not about to abandon him now. He powered home off a strong pace to win this by nearly four lengths 12 months ago and I can see a similar scenario panning out here.

The way he left them standing in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot was a sight to behold. He just has so many gears and as good as Constitution River is I can’t see him living with that late on.

I do see Constitution River as the danger as he was impressive winning the Eclipse last time. He obviously gets weight and should make a real race of it.

Item looked strong at the finish beating Pride Of Arras here last month and is quite comfortably best of the rest and could be worth playing without the top two in the market. Can’t wait for this one!

Bet on OMBUDSMAN to win at 11/10 with Betfred

York 4.10 Sky Bet Stayers Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (3YO plus) 2m1/2f

Small Fry will undoubtedly prove popular for this staying contest but I wouldn’t want to take a short price.

Valedictory caught my eye as he has more to come but KIRCHNER was impressive at Ascot and another performance like that here may well suffice. He is well treated on his French form and with Ryan Moore taking over in the saddle looks sure to go close.

Of the rest Ride The Thunder has been frustrating but at the same time continues to run well so should be involved.

Shrimp Shady is also going the right way over this sort of trip but his revised mark definitely demands more hence his price in the market.

Team Player has good form but again this looks tough enough off his current mark but could easily hit the frame.

Bet on KIRCHNER each way at 9/2 with Coral

York 4.45 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3YO only) 5f

This is another wide open sprint but I can see the money coming for UNDERWRITER. I thought he was hugely eye-catching on just his second start for this yard at Ascot last month.

He had too much to do but was flying at the finish. He is largely unexposed and if he builds on that effort again off what looks a good mark he should go close under The Sniper Luke Morris.

Tons of dangers as you’d expect and Naana’s Shadow does deserve to top the betting as she is plenty talented and bang in form.

Schrodinger’s Cat should run a big race as he goes well at this track and arrives bang in form too. Old Is Gold is another one I can see bettering that recent run and getting involved.

Bet on UNDERWRITER each way at 12/1 with bet365

York 5.20 Sky Bet Nursery (Class 2) (2YO only) 6f

Arguably the toughest race of the day to close out and I’m going to chance GOD GIVEN TALENT at around 12/1 in the betting.

I was at Newbury when this colt by No Nay Never won easily on debut. He has been beaten twice since but was highly tried in the Coventry at Royal Ascot and then was hampered early doors back at Newbury last time. He has more to come and is well regarded so appeals as being overpriced.

Dubai Champion looks a bit unlucky to go down a short head at Goodwood and is going the right way so looks a danger.

The Dancing Pirate is better than he showed last time and could have more to come. Havana Sprite has done nothing wrong either and is another one that made my shortlist.

Bet on GOD GIVEN TALENT each way at 12/1 with William Hill

My top tip for day 1 of York Ebor Festival

I can’t wait for York to get started and hopefully we can kick off Day 1 with a winning double. MALTESE CROSS looks a great bet to reverse Derby form with Christmas Day and OMBUDSMAN should defend his crown in the big one.

Bet a Win Double on MALTESE CROSS and OMBUDSMAN at 11/2 with bet365

About the author

Joe Norris

I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.