York Ebor Festival day 2 tips (August 20, 2026)

I can’t wait for the action at York on Thursday! The Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks takes centre stage for the fillies and mares and Kalpana is looking to back up her awesome King George victory at Ascot last month. She looks to hold a clear form edge and should prove tough to beat!

There is also the Group 2 Lowther Stakes where Libertango is looking to avenge her Newmarket defeat. She was so impressive beating Sun Goddess in the Albany at Royal Ascot if she bounces back to her best she could put in a sparkling performance. Plenty of competitive handicaps too on what looks a decent punting card.

Quick York Ebor Festival day 2 tips (Thursday,August 20)

• 1.50 Libertango – 7/4 with Ladbrokes
• 2.25 Sun Goddess – 10/11 with bet365 NAP
• 3.00 Centigrade – 9/2 each way with BetVictor
• 3.35 Kalpana – 5/4 with Coral NEXT BEST
• 4.10 Without Prejudice – 13/2 each way with Ladbrokes
• 4.45 Weleyff – 13/2 each way with William Hill
• 5.20 Starlight Lass – 3/1 with Ladbrokes

Joe’s win double: SUN GODDESS and KALPANA at 7/2 with bet365

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for York Ebor Festival day 2

Find my top tips for Thursday 20th August 2026 racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:

York 1.50 Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (Fillies’ Group 2) 6f

The way LIBERTANGO beat Sun Goddess to win the Albany on just her second start was impressive.

I thought she had excuses when narrowly denied at Newmarket last month and if back to her best here she should put this field firmly in their place. She can still improve further and that potent turn of foot is a serious weapon.

Star Of State won as expected at Leopardstown and if improving again could be a danger. Wild Blossom has won two from three and looked good at Glorious Goodwood last month so is another one I can see running a decent race but hopefully in defeat.

Bet on LIBERTANGO to win at 7/4 with Ladbrokes

York 2.25 Harry’s Half Million By Goffs (Class 2) (2YO only) (GBB Race) 6f

There is a lot of potential on display here but SUN GODDESS has done very little wrong and hopefully her form will be boosted by Libertango winning the opener. Either way she will go off short as she has won three of her last four and still has further improvement to come.

Clive Cox has won this for the last three years so Satellite Of Love would have to be feared most. He has won both starts to date so arrives here unbeaten and his Newbury form has worked out well since with the second and fourth both winning since.

He also saddles Pride Of Toledo who could be value to hit the frame after impressing at Salisbury last time out.

Bet on SUN GODDESS to win at 10/11 with bet365

York 3.00 Sir Kevin Sinfield 7 in 7 Grand Finale Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3YO plus) 7f192y

Momentum seems to be gathering surrounding CENTIGRADE and given his unexposed profile and the fact he relishes softer ground he could turn into a huge gamble come post time.

He was so impressive at Newbury albeit nearly two years ago but showed he has trained on making a winning return at Southwell despite pulling hard. He has more to come in handicaps and is worth keeping firmly on side.

Mezcala impressed winning at Royal Ascot and then had excuses behind Amazing Journey last time. If bouncing back he could put up the most resistance to the selection.

The Lost King impressed winning at this track last month and would have to enter calculations as well off the back of that.

Bet on CENTIGRADE each way at 9/2 with BetVictor

York 3.35 Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks (Fillies’ And Mares’ Group 1) (3YO plus) 1m3f188y

I can see this being a good clash between the market principals and I see no reason to try and take on KALPANA.

She was so impressive how she turned Calandagan away to win the King George and as long as that race hasn’t left a mark she should prove a cut above these.

If the heavens open that will definitely bring Minnie Hauk into it and she is the danger in my book. She obviously wasn’t at her best behind the selection last time but if bouncing back her second to Ombudsman would definitely bring her into it.

Of the rest Johanna Walsh is on an upward curve and shouldn’t be completely ignored either.

Bet on KALPANA to win at 5/4 with Coral

York 4.10 British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes (Fillies’ And Mares’ Listed) (3YO plus) (GBBPlus Race) 1m3188y

I was really impressed with the way WITHOUT PREJUDICE overcame inexperience to make a winning debut at Newmarket.

I expect her to take a sizeable step forward from that especially up to a mile and a half for the first time. She has the quality to be a smart prospect and as long as this doesn’t come too soon she could put in a really good performance.

Morrophore is eyeing up a hat-trick and has won fresh before so has to be feared but not much juice in her price.

Rhapsody looks capable of a big run and could be a greater threat as she still has untapped potential. A La Prochaine for Wathnan Racing completed the shortlist.

Bet on WITHOUT PREJUDICE each way at 13/2 with Ladbrokes

York 4.45 Mews Hotel Ossett EBF Stallions Nursery (Class 2) (2YO only) 7f

Trainer Ed Bethell couldn’t be in better form right now so WELEYFF is of major interest here.

This colt by Too Darn Hot has won both starts since his debut and was well backed again at Doncaster last time. He can improve again now pitched into a nursery and I can see this track suiting him too.

Rising Tiger is likeable and has very solid form in the book so should be bang there fighting out the finish. Revels showed a smart turn of foot to swoop late at Glorious Goodwood and the horse he ran down Dubai Champion is a useful type.

At monster odds Bymiddaytomorrow is another one I can see running well and she might be worth an each way saver.

Bet on WELEYFF each way at 13/2 with William Hill

York 5.20 British EBF Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2) (3YO plus) 7f

I know STARLIGHT LASS tops the betting and there are a lot of promising fillies in here but such was the impression she made winning at Newmarket and again when following up at Yarmouth I have to keep her on side.

She is by Dubawi and still falls into the ‘could be anything’ category. The yard are going well and Saffie Osborne has been booked for the ride so there are a lot of positives.

Secret History has won three of her last five and ran well in defeat at Glorious Goodwood so could emerge as the danger if getting a better run through here.

Machadadorp is another interesting one especially if the rain has got into the ground. She is around 10/1 at the time of writing so might be worth a saver as she could easily go off a single figure price.

Bet on STARLIGHT LASS to win at 3/1 with Ladbrokes

My top tip for day 2 of York Ebor Festival

I’m keeping it simple on Day 2 backing SUN GODDESS to make it four wins from her last five and KALPANA to stamp her class in the Yorkshire Oaks. I’m pleasantly surprised to see the double pay 7/2 as that looks like value and I can only see it shortening so make sure you jump on early.

Bet a Win Double on SUN GODDESS and KALPANA at 7/2 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.