Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Wednesday at the York Ebor Festival

York, 13:50 - Back Corolla Point E/W @ 5/16.00

The Ed Bethell yard has been in excellent form recently, currently operating at a 38 percent strike-rate, and their representative Corolla Point looks to hold leading claims in this competitive opening handicap of the 2026 Ebor Festival on the Knavesmire.

The four-year-old gelding has been consistent throughout his career so far and remains unexposed in only his tenth start. He won on debut for former trainer Charlie Appleby in a Yarmouth novice event as a juvenile, before finishing a creditable fourth at Doncaster on reappearance the following term, eventually changing hands following a disappointing handicap debut at Ascot when a beaten favourite.

The 800,000gns breeze up purchase for Godolphin as a two-year-old, subsequently sold for 60,000gns, has recorded form figures of 113321 for his current trainer, showing great potential, rising up from a mark of 81 to his current rating of 100.

A 3lb rise for his latest win at Hamilton may not be enough to deter his progression and there's substance to his form from earlier in the term. The winner and second from his previous York appearance, Jakajaro and Heavenly Heather, both going on to run excellent races in the Group One King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot, finishing in fifth and sixth respectively and earning themselves a rating of in the 100s.

With his course form, the current form of the yard, and his progressive profile, there's plenty to like about the chances of Corolla Point, who should be able to make his presence felt with a favourable trip under Callum Rodriguez.

York, 13:50 - Back Toca Madera E/W @ 7/18.00

Five-year-old gelding Toca Madera was a real eye-catcher in defeat when last seen in the Stewards' Cup, running on strongly from a difficult position to finish fifth at odds of 25/126.00.

He could be worth keeping onside having put in two noteworthy efforts during the week of the Goodwood Festival, both in hugely competitive handicaps and big-field contests, and he appears well-treated from his current rating for David O'Meara.

The son of Bated Breath has plenty of valuable experience in his favour and has already shown he's capable of threatening in a race of this nature, as well as at this track. He holds a strong chance on recent form and could put in a bold bid.

York, 13:50 - Back Apollo One E/W @ 14/115.00

Apollo One is another who warrants each-way consideration at a bigger price, and is difficult to ignore from a mark of 91 considering the form he has shown in the past. Things haven't worked out for him so far this season, with his latest run worth forgiving and his penultimate start in the Wokingham Stakes an outing to put a line through.

From a mark of 91, having won at Stakes level twice in the past as well as threatened from a much higher mark in handicap company, including when narrowly denied at Doncaster when rated 11lb higher on 102, Apollo One has the ability to make the frame in a race of this nature and could fare better than in his previous appearances this year.

Bet of the day: Acomb Stakes, York, 14:25 - Back Haffner @ 6/42.50

Talented horses have won this race in the past, including the previous two renewals which saw the sadly ill-fated The Lion In Winter and Gewan come to the fore in their respective races. This year's race is an intriguing one as it features a number of juveniles who could have bright futures ahead with progressive profiles, plus the likes of Confucius, who is on somewhat of a comeback trail having been sent off as favourite for the Coventry Stakes earlier in the season. 

Aidan O'Brien-trained Haffner makes the most appeal, however, holding solid claims towards the top of the market having shaped with great promise this season. He finished second on debut when sent off at odds of 18/119.00 in a Curragh maiden in June won by Abraham Lincoln, beating a number of subsequent winners including future Group Two-winning stablemate Man's Best Friend and the reopposing Trean.

The son of Justify, who fetched $375,000 as a yearling, went on to shed his maiden tag in a Newmarket maiden at the July Festival which had previously been won by Distant Storm and Field Of Gold, beating Al Wathba. When last seen, Haffner was narrowly denied by Dr Rascal when finishing just ahead of Group Two winner Al Hudaiba, rated 111, in the Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, proving his credentials at Stakes level.

There should be more to come from Haffner and he can put in a bold bid under Ryan Moore.

Great Voltigeur Stakes, York, 15:00 - Back Pierre Bonnard @ 3/14.00

In the Group Two Great Voltigeur Stakes, Maltese Cross heads the market ahead of Derby winner Christmas Day, with fellow Group One winner Pierre Bonnard in the mix too. The latter gets the nod following an eye-catching Irish Derby third behind Benvenuto Cellini, where he returned to form following a disappointing Epsom showing when sent off at odds of 7/24.50.

Last season, the son of Camelot shaped as a promising colt with a bright future ahead when landing two Group races during the second half of the campaign. He appeared a work in progress who would likely improve with experience and as he matured, and, although he's yet to strike this term, there could still be further progression to come from him.

The imposing colt is in receipt of 5lb from his two main market rivals and should be suited by this test. He should be able to pose a threat in this field and could take all of the beating if he takes another step forward from his promising Curragh run when last seen.

Juddmonte International, York, 15:35 - Back Constitution River @ 7/42.75

Constitution River has to prove himself against defending champion Ombudsman at this level, but has enjoyed a faultless campaign to date, winning twice at the top level, and could pose a threat to the favourite if continuing his progression.

Following a Group Two win as a juvenile, the son of Wootton Bassett has added three successes to his record of five wins during this campaign, impressing to win by seven-lengths in the Dee Stakes before landing the Prix du Jockey Club and recording a three-length success in the Eclipse over A Boy Named Susie.

Bidding for a third successive Group One, the three-year-old faces his toughest challenge yet against the 132-rated proven favourite, but the ceiling of his ability is unknown and he remains unexposed coming into this prestigious contest.

The Ballydoyle contender is a hugely exciting and talented colt, who could be capable of posing a dangerous threat to the previous winner in the feature.

Juddmonte International, York, 15:35 - Back Pride Of Arras E/W @ 35/136.00

Course-and-distance winner Pride Of Arras has form figures of 112 at the track, usually saving his best performances for the crowd on the Knavesmire. He won the Dante here last year in only his second career start, returning from a 280-day break to beat a field which included Damysus, Wimbledon Hawkeye and The Lion In Winter, defying odds of 18/119.00.

Subsequently disappointing in the Derby at Epsom and the Irish equivalent at the Curragh, the son of New Bay was sent off at a price of 12/113.00 when landing the Great Voltigeur Stakes at this meeting last year. He couldn't pose a threat in the Bahrain International, and was well-beaten on his return this year in Group One company at Saint-Cloud, but put in a game performance from the front when second to Item in the York Stakes recently, and could be peaking for the season in his third start of the year.

The four-year-old is at his best at York and, although he needs to step up to prove himself at this level, he's far from a forlorn hope for the minor honours at least and could make the frame at his favoured track.

York, 16:10 - Back Mountain Road E/W @ 11/112.00

Seven-year-old gelding Mountain Road is potentially well-treated at the weights on the pick of his form and has proven he still retains plenty of ability this season when returning from a lengthy 582-day absence this spring.

Entitled to improve for his opening run of the term, the Jim Goldie-trained contender returned to the winners' enclosure in May from a mark of 83. He then finished a good third to Dancing In Paris at Ascot on Shergar Cup Day, finishing strongly from the rear of the field from a 4lb higher mark.

Up another 1lb for that placed effort, Lauren Young, who landed the Sunday Series bonus aboard Letsbefrank on Sunday, claims 5lb in the saddle, putting him in with strong each-way claims at the weights over this extended two mile trip.

A strong stayer, Mountain Road is still unexposed from his current mark and is lightly raced for a seven-year-old, making only his 22nd career start. He shouldn't be discounted and warrants consideration from a workable mark with plenty to like about his chances.

York, 16:45 - Back Black Star Boy E/W @ 16/117.00

Equipped with a first-time tongue-tie, Black Star Boy is one to note under Kieran Shoemark in this competitive 5f handicap.

The three-year-old gelding caught the eye ahead of his return to action at Sandown in April when he beat subsequent winner Calico Blue, now rated 106, when in receipt of 3lb, as well as One And Gone, a winner since, and a couple of other rivals who have boosted the form.

Trained by Ed Walker, Black Star Boy could manage only sixth in his next outing in Listed company over this course-and-distance, but had excuses, failing to find a clear run in the closing stages, hampered when mounting his challenge. That was a run worth putting a line through and his Royal Ascot appearance may be worth forgiving too.

Lightly-raced and potentially well-treated from a mark of 92, this unexposed contender could have more to give and may be worth keeping the faith in as he bids for a third career win in only his seventh start.

York, 17:20 - Back Persian Spring E/W @ 20/121.00

Course-and-distance winner Persian Spring recorded his first career win in novice company here at the Dante meeting, beating subsequent winners in Clash Of Hearts, Rlasthope and The Ginger Kid.

Things didn't pan out favourably for him in the Norfolk Stakes, nor on handicap debut at Goodwood, but he remains unexposed and could be capable of putting in a bold bid from a mark of 86.

With course form in his favour for Richard Hannon, in only his fifth career start, Persian Spring could prove worth keeping onside and should fare better than in his latest couple of efforts on his return to the Knavesmire. The Persian Force colt has the scope for further progression and may be capable of a bold showing.

Sligo, 19:48 - Back The Little Yank E/W @ [SP]

Course winner The Little Yank has finished third in both of his latest starts, returning to some form following a disappointing run, and should be suited by this staying hurdling contest.

The extremely likeable 11-year-old is 1lb lower than his last winning mark with John Aherne claiming 4lb in the saddle and could give another good account of himself for trainer John Patrick Ryan. 

With a vast amount of experience in his favour, as well as a tough attitude and plenty of heart, The Little Yank could stay on well enough to make the frame and is one to note each-way as he makes his 108th career start.

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