A fabulous week at York reaches its conclusion on Saturday with the Ebor Handicap itself taking place. Willie Mullins seeks a third win in four years in the event, but a strong field of 22 includes significant depth, while there is also the Group 1 City Of York Stakes to look forward to.
Matty Sutcliffe looks to gout on a high on the Knavesmire this week. He has four best bets for you to follow.
York Racing Tips (Saturday 22 August 2026)
The final day of York’s Ebor meeting features its titular headline handicap. As well as that, there are Group races from the outset, with Matty having four tips in all, including one in the opener.
13:50 York – Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Geryon 11/2 1pt WIN
The 7lbs received from Damysus may be enough for Geryon to return to winning ways here, making him 2lbs better off with the favourite who although returns to lesser company, mightn’t be suited by the going and there is the suspicion he is better when fresh.
Geryon has improved with each run this season, after finishing last year with seconds to Constitution River and Hawk Mountain. It took him four runs to get off the mark, but his Curragh fourth prior to that worked out well with the only three to have run since winning, including German Group 1 winner Hotazhell.
His Leopardstown Group 3 win over this trip against the elders was visually impressive, traveling strongly and displaying a nice turn of foot to pull three lengths clear from his rivals, the third winning well since.
He then ran to a career best next time out over twelve furlongs in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood giving 3lbs to King George V Stakes winner Enceladus, finishing five lengths ahead of Derby third Bay Of Brilliance.
While he did stay on there in the manner of one whom wouldn’t necessarily want to step back in trip, they went slow in the middle part of the race there hence the high FSP and he has enough gears to cope with the drop in trip, particularly on ground requiring an extra surplus of stamina.
14:25 York – Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (3yo) – Probation 16/1 1pt EW 5 places
Although Probation has to massively step up on the form he’s shown thus far in his career, visually he’s looked very promising since stepping up in trip going handicapping including at this trip last time out.
The Without Parole gelding won 12 lengths at Lingfield beating the 5/6 favourite, and that was backed up by the clock. Again under 7lbs claimer Alexandra Egan, he swooped by two short priced runners at Sandown under a 6lbs penalty with any amount of ease, hitting the line strongly after a sedate early gallop.
He’s 3lbs out of the handicaps here, but talented apprentice Harry Vigors negates 5lbs of that and it’s interesting that prominent Australian bloodstock owners O T I Racing have bought him, suggesting he could be Australia bound further suggesting a mark of 81 is still more than workable.
15:00 York – Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Puerto Rico 16/1 1pt EW 4 places
Puerto Rico is perhaps a surprise addition to this brilliant looking Group 1, and could well go under the radar after his last two efforts.
Despite being a 119 rated colt, he’s been used as part of the Coolmore team tactics to get Bow Echo beat the last twice, setting the pace in the first before trying to pen him in the latter. Take out those two efforts, and he’d look a strong selection based on his French Guineas fourth when a length behind the Prix Jacques La Marois winner Rayif.
Going back to his two year old season, he improved as the year went on to land the Champagne Stakes on his first try at the trip, before landing a Group 1 double over in France. Now seemingly allowed to run on merit, back down to seven furlongs in first time cheekpieces, it’ll hardly be surprising if this once highly regarded colt can return to winning ways.
15:35 York – Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Beylerbeyi 10/1 1pt EW 6 places
This looks like the season long plan for Beylerbeyi, who was running well in defeat in all-weather contests earlier this year prior to a lowkey return to the grass.
He bounced somewhat back to form when a six length eight in the Ascot Stakes of top-weight, not staying the trip under a keen hold but he was only three lengths behind Small Fry who won at York on Wednesday.
He was then a huge eye-catcher in the Betway Trophy at Newmarket last month, finding all sorts of trouble late on and finishing very much on the bridle, beaten just two length. He looked firmly ahead of his mark there, and both Wine Dark Sea and Asgard’s Captain have franked the form healthily.
He’s a course winner under Clifford Lee and while he I 10lbs higher than his Cesarewitch win, that was a dominant performance and he is versatile enough to be just as effective at this trip in a strongly run race.
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Tips for Saturday 22 August
13:50 York – Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Geryon 11/2 1pt WIN
14:25 York – Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (3yo) – Probation 16/1 1pt EW 5 places
15:00 York – Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Puerto Rico 16/1 1pt EW 4 places
15:35 York – Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Beylerbeyi 10/1 1pt EW 6 places
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets at York on Saturday 22 August.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 10.35am on Friday 21 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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