Day 2 of the York Ebor Festival is where the party really gets going.

The big one is the Yorkshire Oaks, a Group 1 that usually serves up a proper clash of racing’s leading ladies, but don’t sleep on the rest of the card. There are competitive handicaps, sprint dashes, and more than a few races where an outsider could land a surprise. In short plenty of ways to have a flutter and (hopefully) beat the bookies.

Our top York Ebor Festival offer

Joe’s best York Ebor Festival Day 2 (Thursday) betting tips

• 1.50 America Queen – 11/4 with Coral
• 2.25 Anthelia – 6/1 each way with bet365
• 3.00 Old Cock – 13/2 each way with William Hill
• 3.35 Estrange – 9/2 with bet365
• 4.10 Rainbow’s Edge – 7/2 with William Hill
• 4.45 Amazing Journey – 10/1 each way with Betfred
• 5.20 Dance In The Storm – 13/2 each way with Ladbrokes

*odds correct at time of writing and subject to change.

When it comes to betting at York, Thursday is all about picking your battles. The Knavesmire’s long straight means races often turn into a late charge, so those with a strong finish are always worth a look.

Whether you’re sticking with a rock-solid favourite or rolling the dice on something at double-figure odds, Day 2 has plenty of chances to land a winner – and maybe even bragging rights down the pub.

I’ll look into every race in detail, with odds provided by the best UK horse racing betting sites.

York 1.50 Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (Fillies’ Group 2) 6f

• 4 of the last 12 winners were favourites or joint favourites
• 10 of the last 12 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
• 9 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before
• 9 of the last 12 winners were rated 100 or higher

The majority of these have only had a couple of starts so I wouldn’t want to take a short price about anything. Royal Fixation looks like it will go off favourite and despite looking a bit unlucky at Newmarket, still might be opposable. 

AMERICA QUEEN seems a better value for Richard Hughes. This good-looking filly by Havana Grey couldn’t have won any easier on debut at Haydock. She powered clear to win by 12 lengths and really does fall into the ‘could be anything’ category. Ryan Moore has been booked, and I get the impression they fancy a big run.

Obviously, Royal Fixation is probably still the biggest danger, but don’t rule out Staya either, who went down just a length to Fitzella at Ascot last month, and that looks strong enough form. Dandana is a big price, given she is unbeaten, but this will definitely demand more from her.

Bet on AMERICA QUEEN to win at 11/4 with Coral

York 2.25 Harry’s Half Million By Goffs 6f

Tadej impressed, winning a Group 3 in France when last seen, and is a colt on the up, but he is a short enough price given there are a few looking progressive in here. ANTHELIA is certainly going the right way, having won 4 of her 5 starts to date now. She edged out Havana Hurricane to win the Super Sprint, and that was a really likeable performance. She can do better again and isa decent value to follow up.

Raakeb has been highly tried and should find this a bit easier, but I have to admit I didn’t like the way he weakened at Newbury, so he does have a bit to prove. Italica was denied the hat-trick at Ascot but still ran well in defeat, and that was quite a good race, so he is definitely another one to note.

Bet on ANTHELIA each way at 6/1 with bet365

York 3.00 Clipper Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 7f192y

It was good to see OLD COCK bounce back to win well over C&D on the penultimate start. His trainer, Ed Bethell, thinks a fair bit of him, and I don’t think he gave his best running when fourth here last month. If he can leave that behind, I could see him reversing form with Remmooz. Sisyphean finished second that day, and he beat that colt on his penultimate start, so there is good reason to think he can produce a much better run here.

Blue For You isn’t getting any younger, but you can never rule him out at York, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him put in a big performance and perhaps rattle the frame at a price. Leadman has also been in good order and is another one in with a chance in an open race.

Bet on OLD COCK each way at 13/2 with William Hill

York 3.35 Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks (Fillies’ And Mares’ Group 1) 1m3f188y

• 9 of the last 12 winners were aged 3
• 8 of the last 12 winners were favourites
• 10 of the last 12 winners had a rating of 112 or higher
• 9 of the last 12 winners had at least 1 win in a Group 1

It is a shame we only have four fillies heading to the post for the feature. Minnie Hauk is likely to go off a short price, and while she is hard to crab in terms of form, she just doesn’t make any appeal at the prices. I thought she had to work harder than ideal to win the Irish Oaks at the Curragh last month, and so ESTRANGE may be able to turn her over. The latter absolutely bolted up at Haydock on return and then showed a good attitude to follow up in the Lancashire Oaks when last seen. She has more to come, and this could set up for her under patient tactics.

Minnie Hauk will probably go forward, and for my selection to have a good chance, I’ll be hoping she is taken on early, as both Qilin Queen and stablemate Garden of Eden can go forward. If they go too hard, the selection could be sitting pretty in the wind and waiting to pounce. At the prices I’m happy to pay, and hope that scenario pans out.

Bet on ESTRANGE to win at 9/2 with bet365

York 4.10 British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes (Fillies’ And Mares’ Listed) 1m3f188y

I still don’t think we’ve seen the best of RAINBOW’S EDGE. She was back in the winners’ enclosure on reappearance at Ascot and then suffered a troublesome run at Royal Ascot. She looked back to something like her best, missing just a neck at this track last month, and with this step up to a mile and a half firmly in her favour, she can go one better and get back in the winners’ enclosure.

Charlotte’s Web is consistent and was less than a length behind the selection here last time, so could be the one to chase her home again. Aeolian impressed winning at Newmarket and is obviously unexposed so is another one who could give a good account. 

Bet on RAINBOW’S EDGE to win at 7/2 with William Hill

York 4.45 Mews Hotel Ossett EBF Stallions Nursery (Class 2) 7f

I thought AMAZING JOURNEY was unlucky at Glorious Goodwood last month. He got squeezed out at a crucial stage and had to be taken back before swinging wide and coming with a run. He finished full of running to my eye so just 1lb higher here with the promise of more to come I wouldn’t have him at a double-figure price. I can see him proving popular in the betting, so make sure you take the early price available.

Ballistic Missile was denied just half a length at Newmarket last time. That was his first start since a wind op, so expect improvement again here. Stellar Sunrise is another one who looks to be going the right way, so in terms of a place, he would have to be near the top of the shortlist at least.

Bet on AMAZING JOURNEY each way at 10/1 with Betfred

York 5.20 British EBF Fillies’ Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 7f

After just the 6 starts DANCE IN THE STORM should have more to come. She looked unlucky not to get up at Glorious Goodwood and is definitely learning to be a racehorse now. She settled much better the last day, and with this big field likely to suit, I can see her weaving a passage through late on under Oisin Murphy.

Maybe Not has won 2 from 3 since going handicapping, and she had a bit to spare at Kempton last time. If she transfers that back to turf here she will run well and is probably the danger. Bonus Time won as expected in Ireland last time and is another one who can get involved.

Bet on DANCE IN THE STORM each way at 13/2 with Ladbrokes

My top tip for Thursday’s racing at the Ebor Festival

It does look a tricky day in the main on the Knavesmire on Thursday but there is one horse that stands out and that is RAINBOW’S EDGE in the Listed Galtres Stakes. She is capable of better going up in trip and 7/2 at the time of writing looks really generous as I think she’ll prove popular. She holds Charlotte’s Web, and that is the form line I think will play out.

Bet a Win Single on RAINBOW’S EDGE at 7/2 with WilliamHill

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.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 chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.