The second day of the York Ebor Festival is at least as competitive as the first. Double-figure fields abound, and even the feature Yorkshire Oaks has a much deeper and more plentiful field than in most years.
On a great day for punting, Matty Sutcliffe has four tips at York, including a 25/1 shot in the opener.
York Racing Tips (Thursday 20 August 2026)
Six races on day two of the Ebor meeting have attracted 15 or more runners, with nine contesting the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks too. On such a competitive card, Matty Sutcliffe has four tips to follow.
13:50 York – Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies) (IRE Incentive Race) (Class 1) (2yo) – Shimmering Sun 25/1 1pt EW 4 places
An incredibly competitive Lowther Stakes can go the way of Shimmering Sun, who’s shaped as if this step up in trip will suit her of late as she is bred to do so, coming from the family of Shouldvebeenaring who was a winner of the Harry Beeby Yearling Stakes here in 2022 and second in the Clipper Stakes here in 2024.
The daughter of Havana Grey was a comfortable winner on debut, staying on strongly to pull clear with the 5/2 favourite. She was then sent to the Queen Mary and didn’t go unbacked under Dylan. Browne McMonagle, where she was only beaten three lengths behind the impressive Victorious, staying on well.
That form has worked out exceptionally well with the Molecomb and Duchess of Cambridge winners ahead of her, and she ran to a similar level when second in a Naas listed contest when short of room prior to making her challenge with the others kicking clear earlier.
Again, she stayed on very well and she looks well overpriced stepping up in trip under Tom Marquand who’s won this race twice in the last three years.
14:25 York – Harry’s Half Million By Goffs (GBB Race) (Class 2) (2yo) – Satellite Of Love 6/1 1pt EW 4 places
As a Group 1 winner in a sales race, Sun Goddess is the glaringly obvious candidate but it is impossible to rule out Clive Cox’s Satellite of Love, coming from a yard who’ve won this the last three seasons including in the Middleham Colours last year, who also owned the winner in 2022.
The Minzaal colt made a winning debut at Windsor in May, making all to draw away in a smart manner while looking green late on. That form isn’t particularly strong, but he backed it up under a penalty at Newbury last month with George Dobie always looking in command despite the neck winning margin.
He pulled three lengths clear with the second there, who ran to an RPR of 89 next time out in a valuable maiden at the Goodwood festival, and the fourth also bolted up next time posting an RPR of 87.
Rossa Ryan now takes over, who’s won this the last twice for Cox, and he can serve it up to the favourite in a race he’ll no doubt have been bought in mind with.
15:00 York – Sir Kevin Sinfield 7 In 7 Grand Finale Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo+) – Eternal Force 12/1 1pt EW 5 places
William Haggas has won this twice since 2020 and last year’s winner Bullet Point heads the market for him, but the application of first time blinkers could spark improvement into Eternal Force, who’s not seen much racing this season following on from his hat trick at the back end of last year.
He looked a group horse in the making when bolting up at Haydock last October, and was the early favourite for the Lincoln handicap in April. He seemingly had no excuses for that seventh, but he was only beaten two lengths in a race where the second is now a 113 rated runner-up.
He bounced back to form when a nose second in a 0-105 handicap at Hamilton in June just pipped by a group performer in Diego Ventura, who backed that up with a close effort in a valuable conditions stakes at Goodwood last month.
He can be forgiven for a below par run on his all-weather debut next time out, and he’s of major interest particularly on this easing ground with McMonagle an eye-catching booking.
15:35 York – Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks (Group 1) (Fillies & Mares) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Legacy Link 12/1 1pt EW 3 places
Juddmonte have the obvious contender here in Kalpana, but she does have to prove she can be as effective away from Ascot and that she’s as good on an easier surface, and it may pay to chance Juddmonte’s other contender in Legacy Link.
The Dubawi filly receives 9lbs from the elders, and confirmed the promise of her two year old campaign when a gutsy winner of the Musidora here in May when not fully tuned up.
She backed that up at Epsom in the Oaks when travelling very sweetly into the race from rear and hitting the front a furlong out, before being collared by Thundering On who produced a sensational performance. She pulled well clear of the third, and while she bombed out when favourite at Ascot, that may have come too soon on ground quick enough.
Back at a winning track on preferable ground and a 9lbs allowance, she can bounce back to form.
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Tips for Thursday 20 August
13:50 York – Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies) (IRE Incentive Race) (Class 1) (2yo) – Shimmering Sun 25/1 1pt EW 4 places
14:25 York – Harry’s Half Million By Goffs (GBB Race) (Class 2) (2yo) – Satellite Of Love 6/1 1pt EW 4 places
15:00 York – Sir Kevin Sinfield 7 In 7 Grand Finale Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo+) – Eternal Force 12/1 1pt EW 5 places
15:35 York – Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks (Group 1) (Fillies & Mares) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Legacy Link 12/1 1pt EW 3 places
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets at York on Thursday 20 August.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 12.05pm on Wednesday 19 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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