Racing

York’s Ebor Festival 2026: Four Best Bets

MALTESE CROSS (Great Voltigeur Stakes, Wednesday)

What a race we have in prospect and I’m hoping the consistent MALTESE CROSS can turn the tables on Christmas Day. He ran a good race to finish second in the Epsom Derby behind the latter, considering he had plenty of ground to make up on the winner.

He then went one better when overcoming traffic issues to land the Grand Prix de Paris, where he was doing all of his best work at the finish, and there is no doubt he has more to come. He’s a really smart horse and I’m really optimistic that he will come out on top here.

OMBUDSMAN (Juddmonte International, Wednesday)

OMBUDSMAN is fancied to defend his crown by defeating Constitution River. He was a brilliant winner of the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes last time out and was really impressive when landing this twelve months ago.

It won’t be easy for him conceding 7lb to his main market rival but he has the all-important course and distance experience in his catalogue and is the highest rated of these for a reason.

It’s been 30 years since the last back-to-back winner, so while this will be his stiffest assignment to date, I think he will prove up to the task ahead and cement his legacy as one of the best horses we have seen.

JOHANNA WALSH (Yorkshire Oaks, Thursday)

Kalpana was impressive at Ascot when Minnie Hauk disappointed but the latter is sure to not let her crown slip away lightly, while the former is top-class herself and is the one to beat on recent evidence.

However, I do think she’s had a hard season and it would come as no surprise to see JOHANNA WALSH rise to the occasion, especially with the weight she will get. She travelled like a dream in the Irish Oaks before powering clear late on.

This has very much been the aim since and she has more improvement to come. Even though she will find this task tougher, I think she’s cracking value against the other two and can continue a brilliant season for connections.

ALSHERA (Galtres Stakes, Thursday)

The unbeaten ALSHERA is very interesting stepping up in grade. She is unbeaten in two starts, courtesy of wins at Wolverhampton and Kempton, and looks ready for her first assignment on the grass.

She’s extremely well-bred and represents powerful connections. The fact that she pulled away from her rivals last time out having gone quick suggests she has plenty of stamina (pedigree backs this up too) and is fancied to make it three wins on the bounce.

I am surprised she’s not pushing for favouritism.