Steve Mullington previews the action on the fourth and final day of the 2025 York Ebor Festival.
The York Ebor Festival comes to a climax on the Saturday, when one of the biggest betting heats of the season – the Ebor Handicap, takes place.
Check out Steve Mullington’s runner-by-runner Ebor Handicap preview here
The Group 1 City Of York Stakes over seven furlongs and the Group 3 Strensall Stakes over a mile are super additions to the final day card.
13:50 York – Group 3 Strensall Stakes
Rated 105, BOILING POINT looks like the answer to the conundrum that is the Strensall Stakes.
Karl Burke’s charge has showed some decent form this season and ran well last time in the Listed Pomfret Stakes at Pontefract. He appears to be just finding his mark after his move last September from Roger Varian’s yard.
14:25 York – Melrose Stakes Heritage Handicap
SEA OF KINGS has been bubbling under all season for Harry Eustace and can finally gain his just rewards in this 1m6f contest.
The Wathnan-owned colt looked decent at Goodwood last time, and it would be no surprise to see him score today under ace booking James Doyle.
15:00 York – Group 1 City Of York Stakes
Group 1 honours can go the way of NEVER SO BRAVE (NAP) at York on Saturday afternoon.
Check out Steve Mullington’s runner-by-runner City of York Stakes preview here
Formerly with the now retired Michael Stoute, the four-year-old comes here in the form of his life, after victories in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot and the Summer Mile Stakes at the same venue. He looks a nice bet for win purposes.
15:35 York – Ebor Heritage Handicap
For those of you that are keen to find a big priced outsider in a large handicap like this, you should perhaps consider the credentials of Brian Ellison’s ONESMOOTHOPERATOR.
Winner of the Northumberland Plate in 2024, the seven-year-old then went to Australia, where he won the Geelong Cup before running a sterling race in the Melbourne Cup.
He wasn’t disgraced in the Group 3 Silver Cup Stakes at York over the same trip as the Ebor on July 12th, and now he’s back in a handicap, he should never be a 33/1 shot in the horse racing betting market in my opinion.
Others that will give you a good run for your money are French Master for the Gosden’s and Willie Mullins’ Ethical Diamond.
16:10 York – Constantine Handicap
I’ve tipped up Richard Fahey’s STRIKE RED the last twice, and I don’t intend to drop him from my picks today.
The seven-year-old has been unlucky in both of his last two races, and if he gets some clear sailing on Saturday, he can land the prize money for owner Peter Timmins.
16:45 York – Rose Stakes (Listed)
DICKENSIAN will certainly give the race analysts something to write home about should the Pinatubo-colt win this Listed five-furlong sprint.
Kevin Ryan’s youngster was very close to the front in both the Windsor Castle and the Molecomb and will be a big threat on the Knavesmire.
17:20 York – 1m2½f Heritage Handicap
Handicapping veteran SIR BUSKER seems to come alive at York Racecourse, and the nine-year-old can be involved at the business end of things once more.
The course and distance scorer is a seven-time career winner, and he regularly pulls himself a rabbit out of the hat at least once a season. He’s a great looking each-way play.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
