Thursday on the Knavesmire brings the Yorkshire Oaks, the Lowther and another card designed to make the betting balance nervous.
My York Ebor Festival day 2 tips feature three bets, including a double-figure poke in one of the Group races and a very well-handicapped nap saved for the finale. The latest York racing tips for the Ebor Festival are now live.
Thursday Quick View
Feature Race: Yorkshire Oaks (3:35)
Best Bet: Starlight Lass – 5:20 (Fillies’ Handicap)
Value Bet: Wild Blossom – 1:50
No. of Races: 7
Going: Good
York Ebor Festival Day 2 Tips at a Glance
| Bet Type | Horse (Race) | Odds | Bookie |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Bet | Starlight Lass | 9/2 | William Hill |
| Next Best | Without Prejudice | 7/1 | William Hill |
| Value Bet | Wild Blossom | 10/1 | William Hill |
Odds correct at 15:00 BST on 18/08/26. Odds subject to change.
My three main bets for Thursday include the NAP of the day, saved for the last race on the Knavesmire. All of the York Ebor Festival Thursday tips are priced best of all by William Hill, one of our best horse racing betting sites.
There are no official Yorkshire Oaks tips, but I couldn’t resist sticking Legacy Link into a Lucky 31. She’s a big price and I can see her running a huge race in the feature. More on that little act of optimism, plus my full preview of all three selections, is below.
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York NAP of the Day
Starlight Lass – 5:20 (Fillies’ Handicap)
We’re going straight to the closing seven-furlong fillies’ handicap, where Albaydaa remains interesting, but Starlight Lass looks the one the handicapper may have seriously underestimated.
Beautifully bred by Dubawi out of a Kingman mare, she only debuted in June and has improved markedly since. She won easily at Newmarket before following up in style at Yarmouth, and there should be plenty more to come.
An opening mark of just 87 looks extremely generous for this handicap debut. I reckon she’s worth considerably more than that already, making Starlight Lass the first of my York Ebor Festival betting tips for Thursday, and the nap of the day.
Why I’m Backing Starlight Lass
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Very well in at the weights for her handicap debut
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Represents one of the best yards (including at this meeting) – the Gosdens
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Jockey Saffie Osborne has a 22% strike-rate over the past two weeks
York Ebor Festival Tips – My Next Best Bet
Without Prejudice – 4:10 (Galtres Stakes)
For some, this Listed race is where you end up when the Yorkshire Oaks looks a bit too hot. For Without Prejudice, it’s simply the next rung on the ladder.
John and Thady Gosden’s filly left us with plenty to like about her debut win at Newmarket, and she’s bred to be rather good. Owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber, she’s a half-sister to his brilliant Emily Upjohn, and so far, she’s hitting all the right notes.
William Buick takes over from Rab Havlin in the saddle and could have a big week despite a shortage of Charlie Appleby ammunition. He’s picked up rides on two very good Juddmonte horses today, as well as this exciting filly, and Without Prejudice can take the step up in class in her stride.
As always, William Hill are offering free bets for new customers, and you can back Without Prejudice there.
Why I’m Backing Without Prejudice
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Outstanding debut on the July Course
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Bred to be a top-class middle-distance filly
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Her sire and half-sister were big winners at York
York Horse Racing Tips – My Value Bet
Wild Blossom – 1:50 (Lowther Stakes)
The Group 2 Lowther Stakes brings together some very smart juvenile fillies. Libertango is a short price, while Star Of State and Livenka are interesting, but I’m struggling to understand why Wild Blossom is available at double figures.
She arguably produced the best debut of the lot when destroying her opposition at Carlisle in May. Royal Ascot didn’t work out, but she was absolutely electric when dropping to five furlongs and winning at Glorious Goodwood.
Six furlongs holds no fears, particularly in these conditions, and I think she’s a top-quality filly. At the prices, she looks to have been seriously underestimated, which makes Wild Blossom the last of my horse racing tips today for York, and hopefully one that leaves the bookies wondering how they let her go off at that price.
Why I’m Backing Wild Blossom
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Made a stunning debut, and was outstanding at Goodwood
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Bred to want this extra furlong, and runs like it too
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Represents top connections – Wathnan, Karl Burke, and James Doyle
York Horse Racing Tips Thursday – My Lucky 31
I’m adding to the three horses above with a couple of extra runners to create a valuable Lucky 31. Firstly, Legacy Link in the Yorkshire Oaks. She is a big price in a competitive race, but she has an each-way chance and will lift our potential returns significantly. I gave her a mention in our York Ebor Festival betting page.
Secondly, the filly Spirited Gesture up at Newcastle, who was outstanding on debut and looks like she could be top class. The presence of two other fancied horses should keep her price respectable.
“20% Bonus for Successful Lucky 31’s at Betfred
Betfred’s Lucky Bonus offers a 20% booster on winning Lucky 31’s. We’ve got a good mix of horses here at various prices, so it’s well worth a go at York.
| Horse | Race |
|---|---|
| Wild Blossom | 1:50 York |
| Legacy Link | 3:35 York |
| Without Prejudice | 4:10 York |
| Starlight Lass | 5:20 York |
| Spirited Gesture | 7:24 Newcastle |
No Expiry Date
