2026 York Ebor Festival Wednesday Preview

Dave Stevos has already posted four ante-post e/w selections for this week’s meeting on our blog, you can see those here. He’ll also be doing daily previews, his 2026 York Ebor Festival Wednesday previews and tips are below.

1.50 – World Pool Handicap (Heritage)

The opener on the Knavesmire this week is a Heritage sprint handicap with a first prize of just under 70 grand. Last year’s winner, Trefor, is back to defend his crown but he’s 3lb higher thanks to a 5lb penalty for a win in a race worth 30k less at Windsor nine days ago. Shrewd race planning…

In fairness, he’ll probably still run well but I’ll take a chance on Stormy Impact at a price here off a mark of 89. This Study Of Man filly hasn’t won yet this year but she fired a couple of warning shots in June when not beaten far at Epsom (off 92) and when denied a smooth passage at Chester, again off 92.

She admittedly ran below par at Goodwood over 6f last time but I’m always willing to forgive a poor run at that venue. The handicapper has now dropped her to 89, so she’s now 1lb lower than when winning at Epsom last season and Warren Fentiman, who takes off 3lb, has been on board for two of her three career wins. At odds of 40/1, Stormy Impact is the e/w selection.

2026 York Ebor Festival Wednesday Tip: Stormy Impact e/w @ 40/1 (6 places)

2.25 – Acomb Stakes (Group 3)

The first stakes race of the week is this 7f Group 3 and 11 are due to go to post. Three of the top five in the betting come over from Ireland, including the fav Haffner, one of two for Aidan O’Brien. Ryan Moore’s mount’s claims are obvious after a solid G2 run at Goodwood and he’s 7/4, with Paddy Twomey’s Galway winner Trean next best at around 9/2.

However, I’m not too sure they set an unattainable standard and I will take them on with the Hugo Palmer trained son of Starspangledbanner, Stardom Glory. This colt was beaten 1l into second in a novice over 6f here on debut and a neck behind him was Mussab, who finished third on his next start in the Norfolk at Royal Ascot.

Solid Form

On his next start, in 6f maiden at this track, he was beaten 2l by Inner City Blues, who bolted up in the G2 July Stakes at Newmarket on his next outing. Stardom Glory made it third time lucky at Chester on latest, winning snugly enough in a 6f maiden.

He beat an 81 rated rival that day, so clearly, he’ll need a good bit more in this stronger race but based on his pedigree (and the manner of his win last time) this step up to 7f looks almost certain to unlock another chunk of improvement. He also ticks the course form box so at 14/1, Stardom Glory gets the vote.

2026 York Ebor Festival Wednesday Tip: Stardom Glory e/w @ 14/1 NAP

3.00 – Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2)

Just the six runners in this 1m4f Group 2 and it looks to be between Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard, who represent Coolmore and Aidan O’Brien, and the William Haggas trained Maltese Cross. Galiyan might run well at a price for Oisin Murphy and Andrew Balding but with only two places on offer, I’ll swerve this one. No bet.

2026 York Ebor Festival Wednesday Tip: No Bet

3.35 – Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1)

I have already tipped up Zaydann for this race in my ante-post preview, you can find out why I fancy him by clicking here. Hopefully, he runs well.

2026 York Ebor Festival Wednesday Tip: Zaydann already advised e/w @ 28/1

4.10 – SkyBet Stayers’ Handicap (heritage)

The plodders get their chance to shine in this heritage bumper, sorry handicap…Loads of them have chances and it is definitely worth keeping an eye on Westminster Moon’s odds. The only time he was sent off at single figure odds, he won at the Curragh and even though he’s been soundly beaten twice since, I suspect he may have another race in him off this mark.

However, the one that I’ll take a punt on is Kilmeaden. Formerly with Donnacha O’Brien, his best run this season came in the 1m6f handicap won by Westminster Moon at the Curragh in June. Running off 89, he finished off strongly for a 3.5l third and he’s just 1lb higher here, whereas Westminster Moon is 7lb higher.

Interestingly, both those horses are now owned (partly owned in Westminster Moon’s case) by The Cheeky Pups syndicate, so the market should be pretty informative as to which one they fancy. Kilmeaden’s first run for Faye Bramley at the Shergar Cup meeting was underwhelming but he’s better than that and the new visor might sharpen his focus. Cliff Lee won on his only previous ride for this yard, hopefully he can make it 2/2 on Kilmeaden at odds of 20/1.

2026 York Ebor Festival Wednesday Tip: Kilmeaden e/w @ 20/1 (5 places) NB

-DaveStevos