Ebor Handicap Betting Tips

One of the most important handicap races of the flat racing season is the Ebor Handicap. Often attracting a sea of interesting runners, it takes place at York in August, at a festival which takes the name of this significant race.

The contest is run over 1m6f on the Knavesmire and has been run since 1843. Staying stars come to the fore when they are older, so the race is only open to those aged four and upwards, but can easily birth a Group 1 superstar as there is no upper limit to a participant’s rating in the race.

The field this year is beginning to come into focus, and our experts, Andrew Mount and Matty Sutcliffe, have picked out their best bets.

Tips table to follow

Ebor Handicap Favourites Runners & Form

The British handicapper’s opinion of the ratings and weights of every horse in the Ebor handicap will be announced ahead of time, but knowing the potential numbers means the markets are up and running for the race in August.

National Hunt trainers often attempt to snare the race, with Tony Martin claiming it in 2015, and Champion Trainer Willie Mullins doing so with Absurde last season. That Cheltenham Festival winner will not try and go back-to-back as he does not feature in the entries, but in the same colours and for the same handler, Ethical Diamond may be an able replacement. The son of Awtaad was just below the top level among juvenile hurdlers in the last jumps season and has run well on both flat starts this term.

Mullins also has Royal Ascot winner Belloccio towards the top of the market, but the master of the flat, Aidan O’Brien, could rely on consistent Galileo gelding Queenstown. He has been competitive in Listed and Group company this season.

Another raider who could back up the immensely strong Irish challenge is Harbour Wind for Dermot Weld. He is yet to finish outside the top two in six races, while Alsakib is the primary British hope in the betting having won the Group 3 Silver Cup over course and distance in July.

Ebor Handicap Racecourse

York racecourse is one of the most popular racing destinations in the UK. It hosts the Ebor over 1m6f of its track, one of the longest races it hosts throughout the season.

While there is a slightly sharp bend halfway down the back stretch the primary turn comes into the home straight towards the end of the race. It is quite tight, but wide in the closing stages, favouring front runners overall. 

Over a long distance there is not much of a draw bias overall, with the last two winners of the race emerging from stalls 20 and 24. In terms of other races hosted throughout the year, York is home to the Group 1 Juddmonte International at the same meeting as the Ebor in August, one of the premier middle distance contests of the entire season.

Betting Strategies for the Ebor Handicap

The Ebor is a great race for betting, as there are many options other than simply trying to find the winner.

Each Way

Every winner of the Ebor in the last decade has gone off at an each-way price (generally considered to be 5/1 or above). This is a good way to maximise your chances of profit, even if you do not win as much on the nose for a winner. That said, in last year’s renewal there was a 25/1 place for Euchen Glen, which would have paid at 5/1 on each-way terms.

Non Runner No Bet

There are currently 76 entries still in contention for the Ebor. Even if all of these stood their ground, more than 50 would not make the cut, so if you have an early fancy, betting with non runner no bet terms can ensure you get your money back if your horse fails to run in the race.

Without the Favourite

Although it is a handicap, you can end up with a short price favourite in the Ebor. 2023 was a prime example, with Sweet William a 5/2 shot despite the big field. If you think a favourite has a winning chance without liking the price, backing a different horse on without the favourite terms can also be profitable.

Are There Any Specific Ebor Handicap Betting Offers?

The Ebor Handicap will have offers available on the race in the short-term build-up.

Ebor Handicap Trends & Historic Data

When it comes to the draw for the Ebor, high numbers can often prove more suitable when it comes to the winners. Since 2016, seven of the eight winners have emerged from double-figure draws, with the likes of Trawlerman and Absurde making notable late runs against the near-side rail.

Only one favourite has been victorious in the last ten years, and even that horse, Fujaira Prince, went off at 11/2. However, only three winners have gone off at a bigger price than 12/1, so stick towards the top of the betting.

In the last six years, four of the victors have carried 9st 7lb or more. Class has proven as useful an asset as any, while even one of the two winners below that weight was Trawlerman, who beat dual Gold Cup winner Kyprios to the British Champions Long Distance Cup last October.

Ebor Handicap Past Winners

Year	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Odds
2023	Absurde	Willie Mullins	Frankie Dettori	7/1
2022	Trawlerman	John & Thady Gosden	Frankie Dettori	9/1
2021	Sonnyboyliston	Johnny Murtagh	Ben Coen	10/1
2020	Fujaira Prince	Roger Varian	Andrea Atzeni	11/2F
2019	Mustajeer	Ger Lyons	Colin Keane	16/1
2018	Muntahaa	John Gosden	Jim Crowley	11/1
2017	Nakeeta	Iain Jardine	Callum Rodriguez	12/1
2016	Heartbreak City	Tony Martin	Adam McNamara	15/2
2015	Litigant	Joseph Tuite	Oisin Murphy	33/1
2014	Mutual Regard	Johnny Murtgah	Louis Steward	20/1