2026 Ebor Handicap Ante-Post Tips - Last year's runner-up worth a punt at 25/1
Our ante-post pick for the 2026 Ebor Handicap is Ascending, who finished a strong second in last year’s race and maintains a competitive mark of 98. Irish horses have recently dominated the Ebor, and Ascending’s consistent performance profile and current price of 25/1 make him an appealing early value. Considering past form lines – especially with last year’s winner, Ethical Diamond, since landing a Group One – Ascending is well placed for another bold bid and is recommended as an early selection.
- Ante-post tips for the 2026 Ebor Handicap
- This heritage handicap takes place at York on Saturday 22nd August
- We've backed Ascending at 25/1 today
Here's our ante-post selection for the Ebor Handicap, the nameskae race of York's popular Ebor Festival.
Glorious Goodwood may be looming large on the horizon, but it's never too early to look ahead to the Ebor Festival. I've taken a look at the Ebor Handicap entries today, and picked out a runner that seems overpriced.
2026 Ebor Handicap Ante-Post Tip - Ascending
Irish horses have been dominant in the Ebor in recent years. Five of the last seven renewals of this valuable handicap have gone the way of Irish raiders, and Ethical Diamond led home a 1-2-3 for Ireland 12 months ago.
Second that day was ASCENDING (25/1), who went into the Ebor on the back of victory in the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Seamie Heffernan's mount broke well from a wide draw and travelled powerfully throughout the contest. Ascending moved into the lead with three furlongs to travel, but Ethical Diamond managed to burrow his way into contention along the stands' rail, and Ascending was powerless to deny Willie Mullins' star once he found full stride.
Ascending then ran well to finish sixth in the Irish version of the Cesarewitch in September, and warmed up for his return to the Royal Meeting with an outing in the Sagaro Stakes. De Bromhead opted for the Copper Horse Stakes this year, rather than the Ascot Stakes, and Ascending was heavily backed ahead of that 14-furlong handicap.
Billy Lee was forced to sit wide after missing the break slightly, and attempted a bold manoeuvre down the back straight, allowing his mount to tank into the lead coming out of the final bend. Sadly, those efforts proved costly, as Ascending was soon swamped by the closers, and Lee wasn't hard on his beaten mount in the closing stages.
Those defeats mean that Ascending will return to the Ebor with the same rating of 98 that he finished second off last year. Considering Ethical Diamond has won a Group One since then, De Bromhead's raider looks to be well treated off that mark, and Henry will be eager for another crack at this valuable handicap.
Verdict
Ascending is our ante-post selection in the 2026 Ebor.
Ascending
2026 Ebor Ante-Post Tips
@25/1 - 5 Units
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