Andy Newton’s York Ebor Festival Tips on Saturday 22nd August, 2026

See Andy Newton’s York Horse Racing tips on Saturday 22nd August – Day FOUR of the Ebor Festival. 

Air Force One (13/2), Maltese Cross (9/4), Small Fry (2/1), Sun Goddess (Evs) and Kalpana (10/11) have already been top winners this week.

There are five more ITV races to take in on Saturday as the 2026 Ebor Festival concludes with their final day.

We’ve the Group One City Of York Stakes (3pm) – a prize trainer Aidan O’Brien is yet to add to his CV.

But the Saturday feature is the Ebor Handicap (3:35pm) – a race Willie Mullins has won twice since 2023 and the Irish have landed five of the last seven.

So, let’s get cracking.

Andy Newton’s Quickfire York Horse Racing Tips: Friday 21st August, 2026:

• 1:50pm: DAMYSUS  /HANKELOW
• 2:25pm: MYTHICAL BAY (e/w) / BAY OF STARS (e/w)
• 3:00pm: ZAVATERI / PABORUS
• 3:35pm: FURTHER (e/w) / KLASSLEADER
• 4:10pm: AIR FORCE ONE / TOCA MADERA 

🎙️You can also catch Andy’s views each week on the Final Furlong Podcast here.

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📈YORK TRENDS: See all Saturday’s key York stats for the LIVE ITV Races here.

Andy Newton’s ITV York Horse Racing Tips on Saturday 22nd August, 2026

 

1:50pm Sky Bet Strensall Stakes Group 3 3+ £175,000 1m 1f ITV1

DAMYSUS is the call to carry on his good form at York – a track he’s yet to win at but has run some fine races in defeat.

Including last time when a close third in the G2 York Stakes here, boosted by the winner Item winning the Juddmonte Stakes earlier this week.

He’s back in grade here into a G3 and the last twice he’s dipped to this level he’s won – winning the Earl Of Sefton and Darley Stakes.

The first-time cheekpieces are on here too, which could eke out a bit more improvement.

With 7 of the last 9 winners from gates 5 or lower, this is also a plus for the main pick in stall 5.

Of the rest, the Andrew Balding team are having a top Ebor Meeting so their Jonquil is noted.

He was 7th at Ascot two starts ago, but s horse finished two places ahead of him that day was Naqeeb, who could be over-priced here.

Newbury winner Persica and Gordon Stakes runner-up Geryon are others to respect.

But I think course winner HANKELOW is worth a saver too.

He was down the field in French Derby last time but back in trip here should be feared having run a close third in a G1 over a mile in soft ground at Longchamp in May.

Plus he’s also a proven course winner here at York – there’s a lot to like about this Karl Burke runner, who also represents last year’s winning connections.

🥇HANKELOW
🥈DAMYSUS
🥉Naqeeb

2:25pm Sky Bet Melrose Stakes Heritage Handicap 3yo £180,000 1m 6f ITV1

In the last 9 runnings only three trainers have won this race – Charlie Appleby, William Haggas and Andrew Balding.

And all three are represented here, with Appleby running Into The Light, Haggas having Infraad, while the in-form Balding runs Mythical Bay and Who’s Lope.

All of these, therefore, must be shortlisted with the Haggas-trained Infraad looking a big improver after two wins from his last three.

But is up another 7lbs here from a recent head win over Hatteen at Goodwood last time.

Queen’s Vase winner Limestone is another to consider back up in trip.

While the Dermot Weld Juddmonte runner Bay Of Stars is interesting off just 8-4, with Ray Dawson riding as Colin Keane is probably unable to do the weight.

But the call is to side with one of the Balding runners – MYTHICAL BAY (e/w). 

As mentioned, the Haggas yard have a top record in this race – winning three of the last 6 runnings.

This horse heads here having won his last two and, of course, this is another step up.

But has only had four runs on the turf (2 wins) so will have more improvement in the locker and a 5lb rise for his last win doesn’t look too harsh.

Oisin Murphy is the icing on the cake.

🥇MYTHICAL BAY (e/w)
🥈Infraad
🥉Bay Of Stars

ALSO SEE: Andy Newton’s Daily Horse Racing tips and cheat sheet – including NAP, Each-Way picks, Lay Of The Day and Daily Stats.

3:00pm Sky Bet City of York Stakes Group 1 3+ £600,000 7f ITV1

Lockinge winner Notable Speech will need to bounce back from his 6th at Ascot in the Queen Anne Stakes – but you certainly wouldn’t rule it out – he’s done just that many times before.

Lennox Stakes winner Lake Forest failed to land a famous double in the Sussex Stakes just a day later at Glorious Goodwood last month.

But is another that could return to form back to 7f, but still has a bit to prove at the top table.

Japanese raider Satono Reve is interesting up in trip, while Flora Of Bermuda has had a good time of it of late – winning three of her last four.

Including last time at Goodwood in the Oak Tree Stakes, when stepping up to 7f for the first time.

However, with the Wathnan boys having several entered, it’s interesting James Doyle likes PABORUS. 

He was a top G3 winner last time at Newcastle on the AW and has won four times over this 7f trip. He could be over-priced.

Last year’s Gimcrack winner Lifeplan has only been since once since and that was a third at Chester earlier this month.

But I also think there are signs last season’s National Stakes winner ZAVATERI is returning to form.

Backed up with an excellent 5th to Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last time – beaten only 4 1/4 lengths.

The drop back to 7f is perfect and there is no reason why his first run here at York won’t suit.

🥇ZAVATERI
🥈PABORUS
🥉Notable Speech 

3:35pm Sky Bet Ebor Handicap Heritage Handicap 4+ £500,000 1m 6f ITV1

You can make cases for many here, but I’m happy to side with higher draws with 8 of the last 10 winners gated 12+.

We’ve also seen the last two favourites win and the Irish have dominated recently – winning 6 of the last 10.

With Willie Mullins winning two of the last three and so his Love Me Tender (William Buick) and Mr Hollywood (Saffie Osborne) are sure to be popular.

But only four winning market leaders since 1999.

Emit, Klassleader, Love Me Tender and Tarriance look the ones likely to fight it out for the favourites berth.

While 18 of the last 24 winners carried 9-5 or less.

Leader To Be ‘Klass’ Act As Haggis Searches For First Ebor

Of that bunch I think the William Haggas runner KLASSLEADER is interesting.

Yes, he was poor the last day at Newmarket, when a well-beaten favourite.

But I think that run was way too bad to be his true running – having been impressive here at York the time before.

So the return to the Knavesmire is a big plus and he’s been given 49 days to get over that effort.

He’s the call to give Haggis a first Ebor from gate 13 and a nice racing weight (9st).

Further Looks Over-Priced For In-Form Balding

Of those at bigger prices, I think the Andrew Balding runner – FURTHER – is worth an interest too.

The yard have had a top York this week and this 4yold is into a handicap here, having been running in Listed and Group races.

Don’t forget he was only beaten 4 1/2 lengths to Scandinavia in the St Leger last season.

Plus was 11th in the Melbourne Cup last November and this season has run okay in Group races.

Oisin Murphy rides and connections are also putting on the cheekpieces for the first time.

Draw 16 is fine and this grey brings a bit of class – the only downside is the 9-8 in weight.

🥇KLASSLEADER
🥈FURTHER
🥉Love Me Tender

4:10pm Sky Bet Constantine Stakes Heritage Handicap 3+ £13,000 6f ITV1

AIR FORCE ONE did us a favour on Wednesday and so I’m happy to stick with this in-form sprinter in the final ITV race at the York Ebor Meeting on Saturday.

Is up to 6f here (from 5 1/2f), which is fine and despite carrying a 5lb penalty for his recent win, did seem to have a fair bit in-hand.

Of the rest, the David O’Meara yard like this race too – winning 2 of the last 5, so their TOCA MADERA is interesting too.

This 5yold was a good third last time – in the same Air Force One York race, but is 5lbs better off with the winner for just over 2 lengths.

Danny Tudhope has also ridden three of the last five winners of this race, including last year – and he gets the ride.

Recent Shergar Cup winner Red Spells Danger heads here in good order too, as does Desert In The Storm, for the in-form Andrew Balding team.

🥇AIR FORCE ONE
🥈TOCA MADERA
🥉Red Spells Danger