York Tips and Racecourse Guide
Racing on the Knavesmire at York dates back to the 1700s and while it has a place in history as one of the oldest racecourses in the UK, it is also one of the top current courses in the country, offering excellent prize-money and featuring some top-class flat racing throughout the season.
The Dante meeting in May often provides key pointers for the season’s Classic races and the John Smith’s Cup in July always draws a large and enthusiastic crowd.
The Ebor meeting is the most prestigious event of the year at York, featuring Group 1 contests the Juddmonte International, Yorkshire Oaks and the Nunthorpe, as well as numerous Group 2 races. The meeting concludes with the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap on the Saturday, traditionally one of the most competitive handicaps in Europe.
Race Sharp provides free tips for all meetings at York throughout the year.

York Tips
York Horse Racing Tips Today – 20/08
Soulcombe was an eye catcher at Goodwood when last seen, running on well to finish fourth. He is 2lbs higher here and carries the lowest weight in the field. There may be more improvement to come over an extra two furlongs from the three-year-old who looks a strong stayer.
The in-form Dan Muscutt (pictured) rides Savvy Knight, who sports first-time cheekpieces attempting the distance for the second time. His Sandown appearance was in a three-runner race that may not have suited, but his fourth at Ascot has worked out well and he has each-way claims here.
Another worth considering at a decent price is Sheer Rocks who runs off a mark of 89. The colt has been staying on well in races, and if able to cope with the extra distance he could make the frame.
Irish-raider Nusret is an interesting contender for Joseph O’Brien, 8lbs higher for his comfortable maiden win at the Curragh last month over 1m4f. He’ll need to show more progression here, but has run well in big fields previously and could be one to watch.
2:25pm York – Savvy Knight 1pt E/W @ 11/1 (various firms – 4 places, 12-1 in places)
The Group Two City Of York Stakes over 7f appears a competitive contest, with many talented horses set to line-up.
Four-year-old filly Sacred has been running respectably in defeat so far this season, but has been beaten by a few who line up against her and more is required if she is to reverse form.
Jumby coped with the step up in class tremendously well to win the Hungerford Stakes last week.
Rohaan finished strongly in the Wokingham Stakes, beating third-placed Jumby who was in receipt of 4lbs. They are on level terms this time out. David Evans’ gelding steps back up to 7f, which could be a slight concern but the way he has been finishing his races instills confidence that he will effectively see out the trip.
3:00pm York – Rohaan 1pt win @ 6/1 (various firms)
The Ebor Handicap is an extremely competitive race, with numerous runners capable of making the frame at decent prices. There are a number of Irish-raiders likely to be dangerous. Paddy Twomey saddles the favourite, Earl Of Tyrone, who is bidding for a four-timer, whilst Okita Soushi and Benaud both represent Joseph O’Brien. Ger Lyons has entered Licence, and Ever Present travels over for Jessica Harrington.
William Haggas’ Gaassee is the shortest-priced of the Britain-based horses. He is four from six in his career to date, running off a career-high mark of 103.
Alfred Boucher performed well at the track on Wednesday, making light work of his opposition, and is now faced with a 4lbs penalty. If ready for this race and in the same form, it would be no surprise to see the grey gelding there or thereabouts at the finish.
Nine-year-old Euchen Glen would be a popular winner, whilst Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes winner Candleford is interesting off a mark of 104.
However, the nod goes to John Leeper, a horse that has been performing well under the radar this season, and will be primed for this. He faces a tough task in this field, but he is available at a decent price and is likely to be staying on well towards the finish.
At Chester in May he ran on to finish fourth, having been keen and short of room during the race at a track that many horses struggle to put in their best performances. He didn’t stay two miles at Sandown, then went to York, running in a Listed race in preparation for this contest. Once again, he didn’t get the easiest of trips, but made up ground in the final furlongs, staying on.
This race appears perfectly suited to him. He can be one-paced in the closing stages, but when others are tiring, he keeps galloping. As mentioned, he has experience at the course over the trip and the 1m6f seems to suit. He has class, by Frankel out of Snow Fairy, and is capable of being victorious in a big race.
3:35pm York – John Leeper 20/1 E/W (various firms – 6 places)
York Top Trainers (2020)

1. William Haggas 8 wins (20%)
2. David O’Meara 8 wins (12%)
3. Mark Johnston (pictured) 6 wins (16%)
4. Roger Varian 5 wins (20%)
5. Ralph Beckett 4 wins (21%)
York Top Jockeys (2020)

1. Daniel Tudhope 9 wins (16%)
2. Silvestre De Sousa 5 wins (24%)
3. Jim Crowley 5 wins (23%)
4. Tom Marquand 5 wins (19%)
5. Harry Bentley 4 wins (21%)
How to get there
Bus
A regular shuttle bus to the racecourse runs from York train station, taking around 15 minutes.
Taxi
A taxi costs around £10 and takes just under 10 minutes from the town centre.
Train
Trains run from London Kings Cross and take under two hours. There is a regular shuttle bus to the racecourse.
York Top Races
G1 Juddmonte International
G1 Yorkshire Oaks
G1 Nunthorpe
G2 Duke Of York
G2 Middleton Stakes
G2 Dante
G2 Yorkshire Cup
G2 York Stakes
G2 Great Voltigeur
G2 Lowther
G2 Lonsdale Cup
G2 Gimcrack
G2 City Of York
G3 Musidora
G3 Bronte Cup
G3 Summer Stakes
G3 John Smith’s Silver Cup
G3 Acomb
G3 Strensall
John Smith’s Cup
Ebor Handicap
York Map
York Tips Archives
York Horse Racing Tips Today – 19/08
Race Sharp offers free tips for all meetings at York throughout the year. Sign up to our free tips newsletter for the best prices on our UK racing tips. There has been plenty of exciting action on track in the first two days on the Knavesmire, with Baaeed...
York Horse Racing Tips Today – 18/08
1:50pm - Lowther Stakes (Group 2) Dramatised is strong at the head of the market as she puts unbeaten record on the line in this Group Two contest for two-year-old fillies. After winning her maiden comfortably at Newmarket, she put in an impressive...
York Horse Racing Tips Today – 17/08 Pt 2
1:50pm York - Class 2 Handicap Course specialist Dakota Gold has enjoyed six wins on the Knavesmire, a record number of successes he shares with Copper Knight, who lines up against him here, and star stayer Stradivarius. The Michael Dods trained...
York Horse Racing Tips Today – 17/08
Race Sharp offers free tips for all meetings at York throughout the year. Sign up to our free tips newsletter for the best prices on our UK racing tips. 1.50pm York A really competitive sprint handicap, but at a big price we're backing Nomadic Empire. ...
York Horse Racing Tips Today – 23/07
Today's best bets for York can be seen below. Race Sharp offers free racing tips for all meetings at York throughout the season. 2.25pm York - Venturous each-way @ 10-1 5 places (most firms) Won this race last year and looks to have been brought along steadily this...
York Racing Tips – 22/05
The Adrian Keatley-trained Kihavah can bring up a course and distance double today in the opener at York (3.30pm). He ran really well here two weeks ago, having to be switched on two occasions, once very severely in the last furlong, and still won snugly at the line....
UK Racing Tips – 09 October
UK Horse Racing Tips – 8 October A plethora of racing across the UK and Ireland today with good cards at Chepstow, Newmarket and York. Newmarket undoubtedly hosts the best quality action but our two selections come from Chepstow and York. Tip 1 – 3.30pm...
UK Racing Tips – 20 August
Free UK Horse Racing Tips Another entertaining day of racing at York yesterday. Snowfall impressed a lot of people but there has to be serious doubts about the quality of any of her form. Nevertheless, she can only beat what opposes her. It’ll make for a...
UK Racing Tips – 19 August
Free UK Horse Racing Tips A brilliant day of racing yesterday at York with an excellent performance from Mishriff in the Juddmonte International. The feature race today is the Yorkshire Oaks. Snowfall is a short-price to continue her upward trajectory after...