York Tips Day 2: 2026 Ebor Festival Predictions

William Hill News preview the second day of the 2026 York Ebor Festival, with Steve Mullington providing his race-by-race analysis following declarations ahead of Thursday’s action.

Scroll down for his thoughts on each race on the Knavesmire this Thursday, with a comprehensive preview for Day 2 of York’s principal meeting.

1:50pm Lowther Stakes (Group 2) 6f  

LIBERTANGO (NAP) looks like being all the rage in the six furlong Lowther stakes on Thursday.

Winner of the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, the filly was only marginally turned over at Newmarket last time and is the classiest horse in the field. Her current odds of 7/4 in our horse racing betting look value.

2:25pm Goffs Stakes Handicap (2yo) 6f 

The Amy Murphy-trained TOKAIDO (NB) has been targeted at York’s big sales race, rather than the following day’s Gimcrack for her stable star.

The two-year-old was last seen stepping up to Group 2 level at his local track of Chantilly, when adding the Prix Papin to his sexy looking CV and on all known form he should go well here.

3:00pm Grand Finale Stakes Heritage Handicap 1m 

POINT LYNAS has a confirmed course and distance pedigree at York and handles the unique, flat nature of the Knavesmire exceptionally well. 

With the Bethell yard at the top of its game, I can see the seven-year-old being on the premises yet again at this fixture, even off top weight.

3:35pm Yorkshire Oaks (Group 1) 1m4f

Trained by Andrew Balding for owners Juddmonte, KALPANA is chasing her fourth career Group 1 victory following her recent win in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

On the form book alone, the mare is going to be very difficult to topple in this Yorkshire feature.

4:10pm Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes (Listed) 1m4f  

Paddy Twomey boasts an exceptional strike rate when sending his horses across the Irish Sea to British tracks and his PERFECT YOUR CRAFT could well be the each-way play in this Listed affair.

Fully proven at this distance, her last outing in July saw her finish a strong third of nine runners in the Group 3 Stanerra Stakes at Fairyhouse over 1m5f. This drop to 1m4f will put her right back in the mix.

4:45pm Heritage Handicap (2yo) 7f 

Trained by the in-form Ed Bethell, WELEYFF holds an entry in next month’s prestigious Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, just so proving that the youngster is held in incredibly high regard at home.

The Too Darn Hot-colt comes into this on the back of consecutive victories and his opening handicap mark of 86 today looks very exploitable.

5:20pm EBF Fillies’ Handicap  7f 

Previous course and distance scorer ROYAL VELVET won this exact race last year at odds of 12/1 and another massive field, plus quickish ground, will play right into her strengths.

Currently trading at around the 12/1 mark again in our sports betting, the mare is one for the each-way punters out there.

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*