The Ebor Festival reaches its penultimate day on Friday, and racing fans have another action-packed afternoon to look forward to.
The Lonsdale Cup and Gimcrack Stakes build up to the biggest sprint of the season, the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes. Here are our best betting tips through the full card on day three of the Ebor Festival.
Ebor Festival Day 3 Racecard
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 1:50pm | Sky Bet Mile Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 1m |
| 2:25pm | Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup Stakes (Group 2) 2m½f |
| 3:00pm | Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) 6f |
| 3:35pm | Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1) 5f |
| 4:10pm | Assured Data Protection Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 1m4f |
| 4:45pm | British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes (Class 2) 7f |
| 5:20pm | Sky Bet EBF Fillies' Handicap (Class 2) 1m2½f |
2026 Ebor Festival Day 3 Tips
1:50pm York - Sky Bet Mile Handicap Tips
I'm going to back two in Friday's opening three-year-old handicap, starting with ZENNOR STORM (11/2). William Haggas' gelding ran very well in a similar handicap here at York in June, staying on late to finish fourth, and I fancied Zennor Storm to go close in the World Pool Handicap at Goodwood on the back of that effort.
Again, Tom Marquand held his keen-going mount up at the back, and Zennor Storm's late flourish was only good enough for second behind the well-backed winner Exclusive Code. The two will meet again on Friday, but Haggas' contender is four pounds better off at the weights, and Zennor Storm has landed a favourable low draw in stall four.
I'm hoping that stall 12 won't be too much of an issue for JEDDAAL (14/1), who returns to his own age group after a fine effort in the Thirsk Summer Cup.
Ed Walker's gelding went into that valuable contest on the back of an impressive handicap win at Chester. Jeddaal was backed into favouritism at Thirsk and hit the front turning for home, only to get run down by the fast-finishing Witch Hunter before dropping back to fourth in the dying strides.
Jeddaal will have gained valuable experience that day, having gone so close against battle-hardened older handicappers. Kieran Shoemark comes in for the ride on Friday, and Walker's contender should run well with just 8-13 on his back.
2:25pm York - Lonsdale Cup Tips
I'd backed AMILOC (10/3) at a lengthy price ahead of the Goodwood Cup. Ralph Beckett's gelding was punted into 17/2 before the off, but never got the chance to test himself against Scandinavia and Trawlerman, as Hector Crouch caught his leg in the stalls and crashed to the ground after two strides.
Amiloc bombed out on his return to action in the Yorkshire Cup here in May, where he was clearly in desperate need of the run. Beckett's four-year-old then ran a lovely race in a superb renewal of the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, staying on well from the rear to finish just five lengths adrift of Giavellotto and Kalpana.
Amiloc looked highly progressive at three, and seemed like he was ready for this step up in trip at Royal Ascot. Rossa Ryan's mount will be getting three pounds from favourite Caballo De Mar at the weights, and the money that came for Amiloc before the Goodwood Cup shouldn't be forgotten about.
3:00pm York - Gimcrack Stakes Tips
We now move on to a wide-open renewal of the Gimcrack, and I fancy a punt on one of the outsiders, HELL OF A SPIN (33/1).
Adrian Keatley's juvenile ran well when second on debut at Newcastle at the end of June, before keeping on gamely to claim a narrow maiden win on his turf debut at Hamilton. Hell Of A Spin was then sent off at 66/1 for the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood, where Keatley's raider ran a cracking race to finish third behind Pershaada and Adonius.
Those are two of the fastest juveniles in the UK this season, so to finish so close behind them over five furlongs was some effort. Mikey Sheehy's mount shapes like he'd appreciate the step up to six furlongs, which isn't surprising as his sire – 2022 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes winner Naval Crown – won over six, seven and eight furlongs during his career.
3:35pm York - Nunthorpe Stakes Tips
Read our full guide to the 2026 Nunthorpe Stakes to find out who we've backed in Friday's Group One feature.
Visit our Nunthorpe Stakes Live Stream page to watch any of Friday's races via a mobile or tablet.
4:10pm York - Assured Data Protection Handicap Tips
Ralph Beckett has always held MASTER VINTNER (11/1) in high regard. Beckett threw his inexperienced gelding into the November Handicap at Doncaster on the back of two maiden wins last season, but he failed to deliver on that promise on the big stage, finishing 13th behind Castle Cove.
Inexperience proved costly again as Master Vintner was flattened on his reappearance at Newmarket in May. Rossa Ryan's mount then finished second in two competitive 12-furlong handicaps at Kempton, before bouncing back to winning ways with a career-best effort at Thirsk earlier this month.
I loved the way Eddie Greatrex's mount moved through the gears that day, and a five-pound rise for that stylish victory doesn't seem overly harsh. Rossa Ryan has a wide draw to contend with on Friday, but there's no doubt in my mind that Master Vintner is open to plenty of progress, and any juice that remains in the ground at York will only enhance his chances.
4:45pm York - Convivial Maiden Stakes Tips
I'd be surprised if this maiden wasn't won by one of the top three in the betting, and I'm leaning towards LANCASTER TOWER (3/1) over the runners for Ballydoyle and Wathnan Racing.
John and Thady Gosden's newcomer would have traded very short in-running as he pulled alongside the front-running Quest For Stars on debut at Sandown. Sadly, when Rab Havlin asked for an effort, Lancaster Tower didn't find much, and faded late on as Charlie Appleby's juvenile carried a penalty to victory.
Quest For Stars has since scored at Listed level, and you'd imagine that Lancaster Tower will have improved both physically and mentally for the outing. Slightly slower ground should suit too, seeing as his dam was a Group One winner on heavy French turf.
5:20pm York - Fillies' Handicap Tips
I thought Silver Lake was hugely impressive when winning at Glorious Goodwood, and I wouldn't be surprised to see the favourite follow up off a nine-pound higher mark. I also like the chances of another three-year-old, PENDELLA (11/1), and she offers good each-way value against the market leader.
Karl Burke's filly ran twice here at York earlier in the season, finishing fifth behind the excellent Arc Ole Ole over a mile-and-a-half, before a runner-up finish to Pearl River over this course and distance. Burke's front-runner weakened late on soft ground at the Epsom Derby Festival, but bounced back at Beverley the following month, claiming a cosy victory over three rivals.
Sam James looked to have plenty left up his sleeve when scoring at Beverley, and the third has come out and won since. Jack Nicholls' claim reduces Pendella's burden to just 8-3, and all six previous winners of this contest have been drawn in the first four stalls, so Burke's filly is well placed to strike from gate two.
Ebor Festival Day 3 Tips Summary
| Time | Track | Tip 1 | Tip 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:50pm | York | Zennor Storm (11/2) | Jeddaal (14/1) |
| 2:25pm | York | Amiloc (10/3) | |
| 3:00pm | York | Hell Of A Spin (33/1) | |
| 3:35pm | York | American Affair (8/1) | Starlust (50/1) |
| 4:10pm | York | Master Vintner (11/1) | |
| 4:45pm | York | Lancaster Tower (3/1) | |
| 5:20pm | York | Pendella (11/1) |
Ebor Festival 2026 Day 3 FAQs
- What is the Ebor Festival?
The Ebor Festival is a four-day Flat racing meeting staged at York Racecourse every August and is one of the highlights of the British summer racing calendar. The meeting features top-level Group races, valuable handicaps and leading horses from across Europe, with major prizes on offer throughout the week.
- What races are on Day 3 of the Ebor Festival?
Day 3 of the Ebor Festival is traditionally known as Nunthorpe Stakes day, with the Group One sprint providing the highlight of Friday's card. The programme also features the Group Two Lonsdale Cup for stayers and the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes for two-year-olds, alongside several competitive handicaps.
- When is the Nunthorpe Stakes?
The 2026 Nunthorpe Stakes takes place at York on Friday 21st August. Run over the minimum distance of five furlongs, the Group One contest brings together some of the fastest horses in training and is one of the most prestigious sprint races staged in Britain.
- How can I watch Ebor Festival Day 3?
Racing fans in the UK can watch the main races from Day 3 of the Ebor Festival live on ITV, with the action also available to stream via ITVX. Racing TV shows every race from York, providing complete coverage of Friday's card. Visit our website for more info on live streaming.