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Ebor Festival Day 2 Tips - Thursday's Best Bets at York

jon-vine
Editor
Last updated: Wed 19 Aug 2026 12:22
Day two of the Ebor Festival 2026 at York features a standout card with major races such as the Yorkshire Oaks and Lowther Stakes. Expert tips target big-value contenders like Ruby Moon, Weekend Roar, and Revels, alongside main market favorites. Notable recommendations include The Lost King for the feature handicap and Vauntingly in the Galtres Stakes. Three-year-olds get a nod in the fillies' handicap with Secret History and longshot Bella Lyra. Bettors are encouraged to take note of both front-runners and underdogs for strong value across the card.
Jon Vine 19 Aug 2026
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  • Free tips for the second day of the Ebor Festival
  • The Yorkshire Oaks tops the billing at York on Thursday 20th August
  • The Lost King, Vauntingly and Revels feature in our day two selections
york races clipper
York racecourse. (Getty)

The Ebor Festival rolls into its second day on Thursday, and punters have got another excellent card to sink their teeth into.

The Yorkshire Oaks headlines a strong card, which also features the Lowther Stakes and the historic Clipper Handicap. Here are our best betting tips through the full card on day two of the Ebor Festival.

Ebor Festival Day 2 Racecard


TimeTitle
1:50pmSky Bet Lowther Stakes (Group 2) 6f
2:25pmHarry's Half Million By Goffs (Class 2) 6f
3:00pmSir Kevin Sinfield 7 In 7 Grand Finale Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 1m
3:35pmLegends Global Yorkshire Oaks (Group 1) 1m4f
4:10pmBritish EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes (Listed Race) 1m4f
4:45pmMews Hotel Ossett EBF Stallions Nursery Handicap (Class 2) 7f
5:20pmBritish EBF Fillies' Handicap (Class 2) 7f

2026 Ebor Festival Day 2 Tips


1:50pm York - Lowther Stakes Tips


It's great to see a healthy field of 19 declared for this Grade Two. Title-chasing Billy Loughnane is only riding at York one day this week, and he's making the trip to partner Royal Ascot winner Libertango, who dominates this betting heat.

RUBY MOON (25/1) finished a couple of places behind Libertango when George Boughey's favourite was beaten by Senorita Bonita in the Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes. Richard and Peter Fahey's filly went into that Group Two on the back of a maiden win at Carlisle, where she beat an 80-rated rival in Silesia as the top two pulled miles clear of their rivals.

Ryan Moore had to contend with a wide draw at Newmarket, and it took a little too long for the penny to drop, but once it did, Ruby Moon came home strongly, crossing the line just two lengths adrift of Libertango. The third from that contest, Alwaysanangel, has since claimed Listed honours, so the form looks decent. Most of the pace has been drawn high here, so both Ruby Moon and Libertango will be pleased with their double-figure draws.

2:25pm York - Harry's Half Million Tips


To coin a phrase used by Aidan O'Brien himself, it's incredible really that Sun Goddess runs in this conditions race, just 11 days after she stormed to victory in the Group One Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh. Ryan Moore's mount has landed a potentially tricky wide draw, but on all known form, Sun Goddess should take the world of beating.

The favourite's strength means that the majority of the 22-strong field can be backed at lengthy prices, including WEEKEND ROAR (50/1). Hugo Palmer's colt won a good maiden at Newmarket in June, before finishing fourth in a similar race to this in Ireland two weeks ago.

Livenka, who runs in the Lowther, made all to secure an impressive victory in the £96k Ballyhane Stakes, with Weekend Roar hitting the line five lengths adrift of the winner under Billy Lee. In the aftermath of his maiden win at Newmarket, Palmer said that Harry's Half Million was the goal for Weekend Roar, and James Doyle has been booked to take the ride.

3:00pm York - Sir Kevin Sinfield 7 In 7 Grand Finale Handicap Tips


The Clipper Handicap has been rebranded for this year to commemorate Kevin Sinfield's incredible charity work in honour of Rob Burrow, who passed away two years ago after a battle with motor neurone disease. THE LOST KING (10/1) would be an appropriately named winner, and Andrew Balding's star looks to have a massive chance.

The Lost King has been laid out for the Clipper after scoring at York on John Smith's Cup day. Balding's four-year-old travelled like the winner throughout the contest, hitting the front with two furlongs to travel, before holding Mr Swivell at arm's length on the run to the line.

Having previously shown his best form on the all-weather, it was great to finally see Balding's four-year-old put his best foot forward on grass, and The Lost King seemed to relish the track at York. Being drawn wide in stall 15 isn't ideal, but Oisin Murphy should be able to slot in before the bend and strike for home down the straight.

I wouldn't be quick to pass over SPELL MASTER (25/1) either. Oli Rix's star ran well for a long way when sixth in the John Smith's Cup here at York, and was fancied to land the nine-furlong handicap on the penultimate day of Glorious Goodwood.

Ray Dawson endured a nightmare run from stall four that day, hitting traffic on countless occasions before crossing the line three lengths back in seventh. Dropping back down to a mile won't bother Rix's progressive four-year-old, and Dawson will be keen for another crack with Spell Master following that luckless run down in Sussex.

the lost king races
The Lost King (near) winning at Kempton. (Getty)


3:35pm York - Yorkshire Oaks Tips


Read our full guide to the 2026 Yorkshire Oaks to find out who we fancy in Thursday's Group One highlight.

Visit our Yorkshire Oaks Live Stream page to watch any of Thursday's races via a mobile or tablet.

4:10pm York - Galtres Stakes Tips


The Galtres has gone the way of Irish raiders plenty of times down the years, and I like the look of VAUNTINGLY (8/1) for the man of the season, Joseph O'Brien.

Having shown a good attitude in defeat on her first three starts in maidens, Vauntingly got off the mark with a comfortable success at Killarney in July. O'Brien's filly dipped her toe into Listed company for the first time in the Marble City Stakes two weeks later, staying on well from off the pace to follow front-running stablemate Nil Bua Gan Dua home in second, with future Group Three winner Believed one place behind in third.

Being a three-year-old, Vauntingly will be getting a handy weight allowance from her elders on Thursday, and she's a proven stayer over this mile-and-a-half trip. O'Brien's raider looks a straightforward sort, and she's bred to be a decent middle-distance filly.

4:45pm York - Nursery Handicap Tips


I was part of the gamble on Mia Fantasia at Glorious Goodwood, and was dismayed at the ride given to the favourite by Oisin Murphy. Marco Ghiani takes the ride at York and Hugo Palmer's filly remains well handicapped. That said, I loved what REVELS (15/2) did when he scored in a six-furlong handicap at Goodwood, and fancy Karl Burke's youngster could complete a Festival handicap double.

Revels won over this seven-furlong trip on debut at Redcar in May, before struggling a little in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot. Sam James' mount travelled beautifully behind the leaders at Goodwood, and took off when the gaps finally opened, pipping Dubai Champion to the post.

A five-pound rise for that success doesn't seem harsh at all, and I've got no doubt that Revels will be even better over this longer distance. It pains me to desert Mia Fantasia, but Revels looks to have an outstanding chance.

5:20pm York - Fillies' Handicap Tips


Three-year-olds boast an excellent overall record in this fillies' handicap, and I'm going to back two of the younger generation in Thursday's card-closer. SECRET HISTORY (11/1) won a competitive handicap at the July Festival on her penultimate start, beating two future winners in Crimson Spirit and Nikova.

Ed Walker then dropped his filly down to six furlongs at Glorious Goodwood, where Secret History took a little too long to reach top gear, finishing third behind the impressive winner Sing The Blues. Returning to seven furlongs has to be a plus for this likeable filly, who sneaks into this wide-open contest near the bottom of the weights.

BELLA LYRA (40/1) has returned to Richard Hughes' yard after a couple of poor efforts for Mark Glatt out in America. Glatt's recruit was slowest out of the blocks when finishing eighth in the Grade Three Senorita Stakes, before dropping back to last after getting swamped on the rail on her most recent outing over a mile at Santa Anita.

Bella Lyra placed in several Pattern races as a juvenile last term, and went close in the Listed Spring Cup at Lingfield on her final outing before that brief US adventure. Finley Marsh's mount was rated 99 before that effort at Lingfield, but makes her handicap debut off a mark of 92 on Thursday, and plenty of pace seems to have been drawn on the high side of the track.

Ebor Festival Day 2 Tips Summary


Time Track Tip 1 Tip 2
1:50pm York Ruby Moon (25/1)
2:25pm York Weekend Roar (50/1)
3:00pm York The Long King (10/1) Spell Master (25/1)
3:35pm York Legacy Link (16/1)
4:10pm York Vauntingly (8/1)
4:45pm York Revels (15/2)
5:20pm York Secret History (11/1) Bella Lyra (40/1)

Verdict

Ebor Festival 2026 Day 2 Top Tips:

Best Bet1: Revels 4:45pm York @15/2 at BOYLE Sports - 5 Units
Best Bet2: Vauntingly 4:10pm York @8/1 at 10bet - 5 Units
Best Bet3: The Lost King E/W 3:00pm York @10/1 at Betgoodwin - 5 Units
Best Bet4: Ruby Moon E/W 1:50pm York @25/1 at bet365 - 5 Units
Revels
4:45pm York
@15/2 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £40
in free bets

18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Bet at BOYLE Sports
Vauntingly
4:10pm York
@8/1 - 5 Units
100% up to £/€50 bonus
Get up to £/€50 on your first deposit

New players. Choose bonus at signup. Wager bonus 10x. Deposit used 1st. Any withdrawals void bonus. Valid 30 days. Odds, bet & payment limits. T&Cs apply. 18+.

Bet at 10bet
The Lost King E/W
3:00pm York
@10/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £10
with promo code NEWBONUS

Join betgoodwin with promo code NEWBONUS and get access to their Bet £10 Get £10 as a free ACCA welcome offer. 18+ only. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Betgoodwin
Ruby Moon E/W
1:50pm York
@25/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad

Bet at bet365
jon-vine
Jon Vine

Horse Racing Editor • 15+ Years of Experience, Horse Racing Analyst & Tipster

Jon has been a sports writer and tipster for over ten years. Over the last six years, he has become completely immersed in all things horse racing. Every race is a puzzle that he is eager to solve.

Favourite races over jumps would include the Brown Advisory Chase (RSA) at the Cheltenham Festival and the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury. On the flat, the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown is the race that excites most each season.

Favourite horses of all time include Vautour, Laurens, Road To Respect, Topofthegame, Saint Calvados and Elegant Escape.


You can follow Jon at Muckrack or on Linkedin.

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