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Ebor Festival 2025 Day 4 Preview – City Of York Stakes & Ebor Handicap Bring Curtain Down on Meeting

21 August 2025
Michael Lee
Michael Lee
Michael Lee
Betting Expert
Michael has worked in the sports betting industry for many years. Following football, horse racing and track and field athletics, he has covered the last three Olympic Games, World Cups and other major sporting events.
All posts by Michael Lee
Betting Expert

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Ebor Festival 2025 day 4 preview features the Ebor Handicap

Last but by no means least on the Knavesmire this week is the Ebor Festival 2025 day 4 card that contains a piece of horse racing history. For the first time ever in the UK, there is a Group 1 event for older thoroughbreds over seven furlong as the City Of York Stakes attains that top-level status. Straight after that on Saturday, 23 August, there’s also the meeting’s eponymous Ebor Handicap.

Europe’s richest Flat handicap isn’t exactly knocked off its perch by the City Of York with these two races sharing top billing on the card. Supporting it on the Knavesmire is the usual mix of Group action and Heritage Handicaps. The Melrose Handicap is like a three-year-olds only version of the Ebor over a mile-and-thee-quarters, while the Constantine Handicap is the last of the big sprint races from York this week.

Proceedings open on Ebor Festival 2025 day 4 with the Group 3 Strensall Stakes over the unique distance of a mile and a furlong. There’s also a Listed race for juveniles over the flying five furlongs in the Julia Graves Roses Stakes. Closing out the final day of this fixture is the Steve Birch Finale, a mile-and-a-quarter Heritage Handicap. Once again, York provides some great variety on the track.

We call upon our experts one last time for their thoughts and analysis of another cracking card. By combining their knowledge of the form and the prices on horse racing betting sites, they boast a proven track record of sourcing winners and finding value. Check out their Saturday selections as the curtain comes down on the Knavesmire’s major meeting.

York Ebor Festival 2025 Day 4 Preview for Saturday, 23 August

1:50 – 1m 1f Group 3 Strensall Stakes

Cayton Park Stud silks Disappointing not to see John Smith’s Cup hero Fox Legacy back here for more as he’s definitely a potential Pattern performer. Oisin Murphy switches onto Sandown and Goodwood handicap winner Gladius, but he must improve on scrambling home by a head over this distance during the Glorious meeting. It could instead be worth giving another chance to one who flopped on softer ground there in SKUKUZA.

Ed Dunlop’s four-year-old previously made all to land a Listed race at the Curragh over a mile and wasn’t stopping. The return to a more conventional track and extra furlong are pluses for Skukuza, who again has Ryan Moore in the saddle. Few of the others make much appeal here. Sheikh Mohammed Obaid runs two with King Of Cities the pick of those after placed efforts for Richard Hannon.

Stable form is a concern here, but an official rating of 109 and receiving 7lb weight for age from his elders, puts him clear on adjusted figures. While it’s too early to entirely discount course winner Bowmark, he didn’t beat much that day and John & Thady Gosden’s charge finished behind King Of Cities in the French Derby.

King’s Gambit failed twice to win over further here in Group 2 company last term for Harry Charlton, meanwhile. Dropping back in trip doesn’t look immediately an obvious option, based on how he shaped when third in the Wolferton during Royal Ascot. Bullet Point is favourite for the Clipper Handicap run here on Thursday, while Boiling Point and Checkandchallenge have even less to recommend them.

2:25 – 1m 6f Melrose Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

Many Men silks The proven stamina of Brown Jack winner MANY MEN, coupled with Oisin Murphy switching to him after Qatar Racing’s Delta wasn’t declared, is a persuasive combination for the first handicap of Ebor Festival 2025 day 4. Jim Boyle’s runner is up 3lb from Ascot here, but also shaped nicely for staying trips when third to subsequent King George V and Gordon Stakes hero Merchant over a mile-and-a-half here in May.

Many Men faces some in-form rivals, however, in four three-year-olds seeking hat-tricks. They are Royal runner Golden Handshake, up 4lb for a head victory on handicap debut at Newbury; Pole Star, who beat the selection comprehensively around Haydock and is now 8lb higher after following-up in the Racing League from Yarmouth; Ed Bethell’s Hamilton specialist Talismans Time and Fantasy World.

The latter looks to be the Balding stable’s second string, however, after almost going up a whole stone in the weights. Juddmonte’s Tarriance sits prominent in the betting after getting back up at Sandown. Wathnan Racing maiden Sea Of Kings and Alan King’s Daqiri Bay have more questions to answer, alongside Simon & Ed Crisford runner Boatswain.

3:00 – 7f Group 1 City Of York Stakes

Saeed Suhail silks A bruised foot may be an innocuous enough injury, but it ruled Rosallion out of the Prix Jacques Le Marois last weekend. He may be fine now to take his chance on Ebor Festival 2025 day 4 and definitely clocked some fast sectionals when runner-up to Qirat in the Sussex Stakes during Glorious Goodwood, but the pair haven’t had long to get over their exertions. It could pay instead to side with the improving NEVER SO BRAVE.

Balding and Murphy combine with this progressive four-year-old, who landed the Buckingham Palace Stakes during the Royal meeting and sensationally reversed past Ascot form with Haatem in the Summer Mile last time out. Having landed a Group 2, Never So Brave has to go up to the highest level and definitely acts on the quick ground. Others would prefer rain, but there’s none around in the forecast.

French raider Maranoa Charlie is one who falls into this bracket, alongside Ed Walker’s Ten Bob Tony, who has actually been withdrawn before when conditions are too fast. William Haggas’ Lake Forest is a frustrating horse to follow, meanwhile, as he’s often produced late and given too much to do. Aidan O’Brien saddles three-year-old filly Exactly, who receives weight all-round, and that could help her cause dropped down in distance.

The Gosdens must hope that first-time blinkers spark a revival from Cheveley Park Stud’s Audience, who hasn’t matched last season’s highs. Criterion Stakes scorer Quinault who punched his ticket here with that course and distance victory, the supplemented Seagulls Eleven and Annaf are in very deep waters now.

3:35 – 1m 6f Ebor Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

Absurde silks Irish trainers have won four of the last six editions of the feature handicap on Ebor Festival 2025 day 4, so concentrating on those could be wise. Willie Mullins runs three, but Hipop De Loire met plenty of trouble in-running here when fifth last season. He’s been ante-post favourite for a while with Colin Keane again booked to ride. One important lesson with this race is hold-up horses seldom get into it, because they meet traffic problems.

Closutton stable companion ETHICAL DIAMOND, representing the same connections as 2023 winner Absurde, looks better value. He atoned for flopping in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes last season by landing the spoils during Royal Ascot earlier this summer. Ethical Diamond has a 8lb hike as a result, but it may not stop him from going in again.

Catching the eye behind him in fourth was Siege Of Troy, and Johnny Murtagh now books stable apprentice Patrick McGettigan, who takes 7lb off with his claim. All trips seem to come alike to Cork Derby and Ascot Stakes scorer Ascending for last year’s winning trainer Henry De Bromhead, so he could land a unique hat-trick. Jim Bolger quickly turns Fleetfoot out under a 4lb penalty, but he’s 3lb well-in on future assignments.

Also Consider Course Form for Ebor

Joseph O’Brien has Mr Percy in off bottom weight, but he’s almost a whole stone higher than when landing the Irish “win and you’re in” race for the Ebor. Aeronautic didn’t make the cut for the stable, however, so waits as second reserve on standby in case of any late withdrawals following final declarations.

Of those with course form, last year’s runner-up Kihavah and third Oneforthegutter are obviously worth a second look. Brian Ellison’s Onesmoothoperator wasn’t far behind Hipop De Loire in seventh after coming from the rear. Wathnan run two with French Master framing the handicap with a lot to do off topweight, but Jorvik winner Almosh’her is interesting after being gelded.

Karl Burke’s charge just held off Stressfree by a head, but actually meets the re-opposing runner-up off 2lb better terms. There are a couple of course mile-and-a-half handicap winners in the line-up still working their way back to fitness. This may be asking too much of Roger Varian’s Shadow Dance or Ballydoyle inmate London City, but both have those Knavesmire successes under their belts.

4:10 – 6f Constantine Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

China Horse Club silks Another ultra-competitive sprint contest with a full field charging up the home straight. With Elmonjed a surprise omission from final declarations, it could leave the way clear for Sky Bet Dash runner-up JUBILEE WALK to go one better. James Ferguson’s charge arrives at Ebor Festival 2025 day 4 after a 1lb nudge up from the handicapper from last month’s course and distance second.

Any number of dangers abound, however, and re-opposing fifth and sixth Pocklington and Strike Red are chief among those, especially with the latter running a blinder for Richard Fahey when subsequently runner-up to Two Tribes in the Stewards’ Cup. All three of Richard Spencer’s charges who hit the frame in the big Glorious Goodwood sprint handicap go here, with Run Boy Run and Twilight Calls better off at the weights with the winner.

It’d be foolish to ignore the course form of Tropical Storm from May as well, as the runner-up Star Of Mehmas landed a fillies only Heritage Handicap sprint here on Wednesday. Veteran pair Jordan Electrics and Commanche Falls could roll back the years as they too have done well on the Knavesmire before, alongside Richard Hannon’s Dark Thirty.

We also saw the Windsor Sprint Series Final form advertised when Trefor took the opening five-and-a-half furlongs Heritage Handicap. The winner, Chief Mankato, sneaks in off bottom weight for Jack Channon and re-opposing third Badri takes him on again. Handicap debutant Super Saiyan could hardly have a more difficult baptism of fire than this wide-open dash.

4:45 – Listed 5f Julia Graves Roses Stakes

Godolphin silks white cap Godolphin have a good hand here for the penultimate race of Ebor Festival 2025 day 4, but second string SILENT APPLAUSE is the pick. William Buick chooses Military Code, who won his first couple of starts and disappointed in both Group races either side of a head second in this grade at Sandown. Silent Applause, meanwhile, steps up in grade after bolting up as expected in a Haydock nursery.

This demands more, but he’s done nothing wrong since dropping down to the minimum distance. A major threat is Kevin Ryan’s Dickensian, eased in grade after running third in the Molecomb Stakes during Glorious Goodwood, ahead of Rydale Frosty. He previously chased home Havanna Hurricane in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot, so leading form claims belong to this locally-trained runner.

Also in the frame at Goodwood was King Power Racing filly Revival Power. Tim Easterby’s charge chased home Nunthorpe hopeful Spicy Marg in the Alice Keppel there, so is worth trying up in class with connections probably seeking a bit of Black Type for her. The other four juveniles declared have all won races, but don’t seem to have the same level of form.

5:20 – 1m 2f 56y Steve Birch Finale (Heritage Handicap)

Amo Racing silks Chesterfield Cup hero Westridge is an improving type, but hit with an 8lb hike for his Glorious Goodwood win, so the Gosdens’ horse shares topweight with last year’s winner and retiring Sir Busker. A second success in the Ebor Festival 2025 day 4 finale for William Knight’s veteran would raise the roof, but there’s another who likes it here that has gone close in the past.

Amo Racing and Michael Bell combine with TONY MONTANA off the same mark of 96 as when he missed out by a head during the Dante meeting. He was also third in last season’s John Smith’s Cup here, so perhaps can make it third time lucky and looks a good each-way bet. Tony Montana isn’t the only inmate of Bell’s Newmarket stables heading for the Knavesmire either.

Greek Order is another knocking on the door in handicaps, but connections now step him up in trip beyond a mile for the first time since he came back from America. Murphy now takes the ride. Classic Encounter, Dain Ma Nut In, Ron O and Zain Blue have all won races over a mile, nine furlongs or course and distance here, so York holds good memories for them.

Erzindjan ran a blinder when nearest at the finish and an eye-catching fourth in the John Smith’s Cup at 80/1 last month. He’ll need to prove that placed effort at this track and trip wasn’t a fluke, though. Fahey newcomer Castle Stuart still isn’t fully exposed and joins fellow three-year-old Marhaba Ghaiyyath as hopefuls in a competitive conclusion to this fixture.

Michael Lee
Michael Lee
Betting Expert
Michael Lee
Betting Expert

Michael has worked in the sports betting industry for many years. Following football, horse racing and track and field athletics, he has covered the last three Olympic Games, World Cups and other major sporting events.

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