THE York Ebor Festival rolls into town for four days of a summer racing spectacular.
OK, so don't let the fact we're probably going to witness the first rainfall in what feels like forever dampen your spirits.
There are a whole host of superstars on show during the week – not to mention the jockeys, trainers and, quite possibly, celebrities as well.
We've got the world's best horse in the world's best race, the (possible farewell) to a legend… and an iconic Ladies' Day.
Here, Sun Racing breaks down everything we can look forward to this week – and don't forget to check out the best betting offers to grab yourself a bargain.
Wednesday
Day one kicks off with a belting sprint handicap at 1.50 before the first Group 3, the Acomb Stakes, at 2.25.
The key players make their way to the track for the Voltigeur at 3.00 where Godolphin's Secret State looks the one to beat.
Most read in Horse Racing
Follow up 14-1 winner with Aidan O'Brien fancy to win at a canter at York
Cheltenham Festival slash crowd numbers but punters doubt it'll make difference
Rinse the bookies with this Hamilton double on Tuesday
My NAP should dominate at Hamilton and help build the bank for York
But at 3.35 it's the real showstopper – the Juddmonte.
Can unbeaten Baaeed take another step to emulating the incredible Frankel, ten years after that iconic horse won the same race?
Matt Chapman thinks he can, although William Haggas' stable star will have some tough competition in the form of Mishriff.
John Gosden's globe-trotting sensation is a money-making machine, although word has it this could be his final year racing.
Templegate has gone through every runner and revealed his pick for the 4.10 Stayers' Handicap before two more handicap clashes end day one in style.
Thursday
Ladies Day!
And what better way to start one of the key fixtures of the calendar than with the Group 2 Lowther for fillies, where Dramatised is the heavy favourite.
Two handicaps follow before the Group 1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks where Arc hopeful Alpinista will look to make it seven on the bounce in the 3.35.
Punters can then get their teeth into three devilishly tricky handicaps to close out day two.
OFFERS OF THE DAY
William Hill: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair – Bet £10 Get £30 – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as Cash if it Losesacing – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet – Bet anything and get £30 in Free Bets –CLAIM HERE
Ladbrokes – Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
Coral – Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 13.04.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook. Further terms apply. Begambleaware.org#ad
Betfair – Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any market at odds of min 2.0 (EVS) and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using cards will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY,FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY, 5p MINIMUM STAKE, 3 x £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS EXCLUDE VIRTUALS. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+ BEGAMBLEAWARE.ORG
Ladbrokes: 18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £/€5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Coral: Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply. 18+ T&Cs Apply. Begambleaware.org
Friday
Will this be the last time we see Stradivarius?
The superstar stayer won't have Frankie Dettori in the saddle – but he is more than used to winning under stand-in rider Andrea Atzeni.
The legendary eight-year-old is strong favourite for the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup at 2.25, but old foe Trueshan could challenge should he get the rain he needs.
The Group 2 Gimcrack looks a beauty immediately after that, with 17 horses declared to thunder down the Knavesmire at break-neck speed over six furlongs.
A whopping £300,000 will go to the winner of the Nunthorpe at 3.35, a hellacious test of speed over five furlongs.
James Tate's rocketball Royal Aclaim is favourite to win – wouldn't that be a fitting victory in Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee year?
Three more top class handicaps round out the day before we head to Saturday.
Saturday
The marquee race of the week takes place at 3.35 – so there's plenty of time to get studying.
Strap yourselves in for the eponymous Ebor Handicap – a blockbuster 1m6f contest.
A maximum of 22 runners and riders will line up for the showcase event of the week, won last year by Johnny Murtagh's Sonnyboyliston.
Could Joseph O'Brien bring the trophy back to Ireland?
His four-year-old star Okita Soushi is 11-1 to triumph, but fellow Irish trainer Paddy Twomey's Earl Of Tyrone is the hotly fancied 7-1 favourite.
The final field will be announced at 10am on Thursday.
That's not the only race to get excited about, though, with the Strensall Stakes and City Of York Stakes providing top group action.
And there's a whole whost of tricky handicaps to test your punting credentials.
Templegate will bring you his picks every day, a big guide to the big race on each day and Sun Racing will update you with our longshots and best each way fancies too.
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
Source: Read Full Article