York‘s Ebor meeting is the signature racing event in August. Featuring races such as the Juddmonte International, Nunthorpe Stakes and the Ebor itself, all four days are bound to attract great crowds and competitive betting markets.
Matty Sutcliffe has four best ante-post bets to complete a lucky 15 for the Ebor meeting. Three run in Group 1 company, with a selection for the Ebor Handicap too.
Nunthorpe Stakes – American Affair 8/1
Jim Goldie’s stable star American Affair had his Nunthorpe bid thwarted last season after sustaining an injury following his King Charles III success, but having returned to the winners enclosure last time out, he can make amends this time.
The Washington DC gelding has made remarkable progress throughout his career, taking feature handicaps at Thirsk, Doncaster’s Portland, Musselburgh’s Sprint Cup, and York’s Lindum Handicap.
Subsequently, he gamely landed the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot. He evidently needed the outing on seasonal debut in May, before posting an excellent second in the Temple Stakes. He completely blew out back at Ascot before catching the eye at York. His backers deserted him at Goodwood, but he bounced right back to his best in the King George Qatar Stakes when producing a sparkling turn of foot up the stand-side with the race generally favouring those toward the far-side.
He was just 0.06 seconds away from breaking Battaash’s course record there, and he might’ve done had Mulrennan not dropped his whip. That was a huge improvement from what we’ve seen thus far this season, and I’d imagine Jim Goldie will have him primed for York. He’s a course and distance winner, and the inevitable prospect of a strongly run Nunthorpe should play into his strengths.
Juddmonte International Stakes – Ombudsman EVS
Godolphin were the last owners responsible for landing back to back Juddmonte’s with the same horse, and Ombudsman can replicate that feat 30 years later.
The son Night Of Thunder justified strong favouritism in the race last season when producing a power packed finish, aided by the pace-setting Birr Castle, to beat Delacroix by three lengths, reversing the Eclipse form.
He’s only been met with defeat just once in four subsequent starts, bumping into a peak Calandagan after some tough races. Ombudsman gamely landed the Brigadier Gerard again on seasonal debut, before posting a career best performance last time out in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes.
That was one of the most dominant ten furlong performances we’ve seen in recent years, and he’ll be very tough to beat with if he’s in the same form despite the two month break.
Ebor Handicap – Poetic Sound 20/1
Ger Lyons won this with Mustajeer in 2019 and Poetic Sound can follow suit. The son of Poet’s Word isn’t fully exposed after just eleven runs as a five year old, and could have more to give off a mark of 102.
He looked talented when a four length winner at Bellewstown two years ago, beating some handy sorts in the process. He failed to win in five starts last season, but he was only beaten two lengths by Kyprios in Listed company.
He was in danger of becoming disappointing, but that was until he won comfortably in an Ebor trial at the Curragh, running down the favourite late on with the front three pulling well clear. He then shaped far better than the finishing position suggested back at the Curragh last time out. He was giving 10lbs to the field, raced in rear throughout, and had to challenge widest of all.
He initially picked up well, but failed to stay. His form at two miles now reads 007, whereas at the Ebor trip it reads 231 and the way he travelled into contention last time out suggests a mark of 102 is workable. His better form has come with some ease in the going, but he’s coped with a firmer surface fine before and a strongly run Ebor will suit.
City Of York Stakes – Zavateri 10/1
Eve Johnson Houghton said Zavateri is York bound following his solid reappearance in the Sussex and looks to have a solid chance back down to seven furlongs.
The Without Parole colt was exceptional as a two year old with form figures of 11114, including beaten Gstaad in the National Stakes. He made a solid reappearance in thew Greenham when a tenderly handled third, suggesting to a degree he’s trained on.
Injury kept him out since, and he returned with an excellent fifth in the Sussex. He was always on the back-foot after tucking in from a wide draw, but he travelled strongly into the contest as well as anything. He went to angle out behind Gstaad for a run, but was penned back in and bumped by Bow Echo, which appeared to stunt his momentum.
He still finished the race off well albeit not the strongest at the line. I thought it was a huge effort, and given he’s almost certainly going to improve fitness wise, he looks to have a strong chance down in trip with a strong pace going to suit him.
FAQs
What are the Ebor Meeting Lucky 15 tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his Lucky 15 tips for York’s 2026 Ebor meeting.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s Lucky 15 tips published?
The York Ebor Lucky 15 tips were published at 3.53pm on Monday 3 August.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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