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Horse Racing Betting Tips - Friday 21 August - 2026 York Ebor Festival - Day 3

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Publish Date: 21/08/2026

Fact checked by: Jordan Noble

Key Points

Today’s betting tip should relish this step up in trip
The horses at the the top of the market have question marks
This horse comes from a yard in red hot form

We started the week with two profitable selections: Connie’s Rose at 8/1, and Apollo One at 18/1. Unfortunately, my 20/1 Ebor Day 2 pick experienced an issue with his blindfold as the stalls opened, and that was the race over before it began for him. That was so disappointing, as he was backed into 10/1 before the off and looked in great shape.

However, it happens, so we dust ourselves off and go again! Today I’ve tackled Day 3 of the Ebor Festival at York, and I have a 15/2 betting tip for you in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup.

My role as resident horse racing expert at betting.co.uk sees me publishing multiple free horse racing tips every week, but I do pop in some antepost picks too. So be sure to check out my early selection for the 2027 Aintree Grand National who is still available at 66/1.

Betting advice

14:25 York - Mount Atlas @ 15/2 (3 places) - 0.5pt Each Way

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The Lonsdale Cup looks wide open this year!

With Trawlerman retired and Scandinavia absent after readily winning the Goodwood Cup Stakes last month, this year’s Lonsdale Cup is up for grabs. That’s why I think Mount Atlas is well worth chancing at 15/2 in this wide open renewal, and in the rest of this article, I’ll explain why.

Mount Atlas should relish this step up in trip

After Mount Atlas’ third place in the 1m 6f Grand Cup Stakes (Listed) where he was beaten by just half a length, I thought his finishing effort was a touch tame. It looked like he was going to come past the front pair but it just never materialised. Perhaps that is harsh, but he raced too keenly, and I think that took the edge off his finish.

However, last time out in the Group 3 Silver Cup Stakes over 1m 6f, he still raced quite keenly, but this time he dug deep to go past Tabletalk and land the race by a head. That day he certainly shaped like he would stay further, especially if he settles better in the early stages. Today he steps up to 2m and I think might improve for the extra distance, especially if PJ McDonald keeps him in order during the early stages of the race.

The horses at top of the market have questions to answer

On paper, the market has the right favourite with Caballo De Mar. However, I’m not so sure. He did too much trying to go with the big boys in the Ascot Gold Cup over 2m 4f and paid the price for it. He was beaten by 61 lengths, and showed signs of heat stress post-race. Maybe he should have been pulled up, but regardless, it’s not an easy thing to bounce back from. Also,

Cabello De Mar’s connections have opted to bypass the Goodwood Cup Stakes for this race. That makes me wonder if it’s just a stepping stone to Autumn targets like the Doncaster Cup, the Cadran, and the Long Distance Cup. Whichever happens to be the case, at a ridiculously short price, I’ll take him on.

Amiloc was rock solid last summer, but so far this campaign he has form figures of 66U, which is very uninspiring. It is also worth noting that only one four-year-old has won this race since 2013, which was Stradivarius in 2018. He was a freak though, and came back to win it in 2019 and 2021 as well. At 3/1, Amiloc wouldn’t be a viable option for me.

His yard are in red hot form and won this race in 2017 and 2023

Mount Atlas was due to battle with Tabletalk in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes last weekend, but he was declared a non-runner due to the hard ground. Instead, Andrew Balding has decided to come here, which I find very interesting. Especially as that man knows what it takes to win this race, having won the 2017 renewal with Montaly, and the 2023 edition with Coltrane.

Andrew Balding is enjoying an exceptional Ebor Festival this year. On the opening day, Item landed the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes, winning over £850,000. Then yesterday, Andrew enjoyed a four-timer with The Lost King, Kalpana, Prizeland, and Machadadrop all coming home in front. From both angles, you have to respect that he has chosen to run Mount Atlas here.

Can Mount Atlas prove he’s a Cup horse?

There is a lot to like about Mount Atlas in the Lonsdale Cup. It’s a wide open renewal without Trawlerman and Scandinavia, plus those who head the market currently have questions to answer. Mount Atlas performs well at York, and I think this step up in trip could bring more out of him. Pairing that with his yard’s previous winners in this race, and their red hot form at this year’s Ebor Festival, a lot of boxes are ticked.

In terms of negatives, Caballo De Mar will be tough to beat if he’s fit, ready, and bouncing back from Ascot. It is also a blow that Oisin Murphy rides that one instead of Mount Atlas here, but at the same time, it’s understandable. That said, it was PJ McDonald who got Mount Atlas’ head in front last time, so there are no complaints in that respect. His tendency to race freely is also a slight worry, but hopefully PJ McDonald can keep a lid on him. He's worth a chance at 15/2, but I’m only prepared to play half stakes on this one.

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