Day 3 of the York Ebor Festival 2025, often dubbed Nunthorpe Day, is one of the most exciting afternoons for racing fans and punters alike.

The headline act, the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes, showcases the fastest sprinters in the game over five furlongs and has a history of producing shocks, outsider winners, and big betting stories.

With so much pace on display, the race is a must-watch for anyone looking for value in the odds, each-way betting angles, or simply a big-priced punt.

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Joe’s best York Ebor Festival Day 3 (Friday) betting tips

• 1.50 Mount Atlas – 4/1 each way with bet365
• 2.25 Trawlerman – 4/6 with William Hill
• 3.00 Do Or Do Not – 7/4 NAP with Betfred
• 3.35 She’s Quality – 9/1 each way with Coral
• 4.10 Wonder Star – 9/2 each way with bet365
• 4.45 Naval Light – 10/3 with Betfred
• 5.20 Dividend – 14/1 each way with bet365

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

Friday’s card doesn’t stop at the Nunthorpe. From tricky handicaps to fascinating juvenile races, there are betting opportunities across every race. It’s the kind of day where spotting an improver or taking a chance on a horse at bigger odds can really pay off.

With bookies lining up their price boosts and extra places, there’s plenty of value out there if you’re willing to dig a little deeper and trust your instincts.

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

York 1.50 Sky Bet Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 1m3f188y

I know MOUNT ATLAS is burdened with top-weight, but that is with good reason, as he was impressive winning going away at Ascot last month.

He is 5lb higher again, but the runner-up Night Breeze has bagged a nice pot since, so the form has been franked. He’ll be ridden quietly, but Champagne Prince should put a good pace to the race, so if the gaps appear, he could be the one finishing best of all under Oisin Murphy.

French Duke disappointed at Glorious Goodwood but he lost his race at the start and if breaking on terms could be dangerous here. Insanity is also on the radar as he was only beaten a length by Night Breeze at the Shergar Cup and that form ties in with the selection.

Bet on MOUNT ATLAS each way at 4/1 with bet365

York 2.25 Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup Stakes (Group 2) 2m56y

• 10 of the last 12 winners were aged 5 or older
• 5 of the last 12 winners were favourites, with 9 of 12 top 3 in the betting
• 5 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before
• 10 of the last 12 winners had a rating of 109 or higher

I’m in no mood to try and get TRAWLERMAN beat here as he looks by far and away the most likely winner. He thrashed Coltrane at Sandown and then backed that up, putting the improving Illinois firmly in his place in the Ascot Gold Cup when last seen. He is obviously proven on the track, and I really don’t see any negatives on what has already been a good week for John Gosden and William Buick.

Sweet William was nearly 20 lengths behind the selection at Ascot, but at least did run better when third behind Scandinavia at Glorious Goodwood. He should give his running, but Al Qareem might be a better value for the forecast. He has beaten two good horses in Absurde and Samui at this track twice and could run well, albeit just bumping into one.

Bet on TRAWLERMAN to win at 4/6 with WilliamHill

York 3.00 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) 6f

• 3 of the last 12 winners were favourites, but 8 of 12 top 3 in the betting
• 5 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before
• 9 of the last 12 winners were rated 102 or higher
• 1 of the last 12 winners had at least 1 win in a Group 1-3

It is crazy to think DO OR DO NOT hasn’t won a race yet, as he has reached a seriously high level of form in just a handful of starts. He bumped into Tadej over C&D on just his second start earlier in the season, beaten just a neck at the line.

He then outran odds of 80/1 to finish second to Gstaad in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot before going down just a length to Zavateri in the July Stakes at Newmarket. The step up to 7f didn’t really help in the Vintage, but he still ran his heart out, beaten less than 2 lengths. Back down to 6f will suit, and in calmer waters, he is impossible to oppose.

Reciprocated looked a promising colt winning his first two starts and is better than he showed when last at Ascot last month. He was just too keen that day, and dropping back to 6f here if settling better should give the selection most to think about. Lifeplan made a bright start, winning on debut, and with more to come, is another one I can see getting competitive, but I do feel they will all be playing catch-up to beat the selection.

Bet on DO OR DO NOT to win at 7/4 with Betfred

York 3.35 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1) 5f

• 11 of the last 12 winners were aged 4 or older
• 2 of the last 12 winners were favourites or joint favourites, but 8 ofthe 12 top 3 in the betting
• 10 of the last 12 winners were rated 108 or higher
• 9 of the last 12 winners had at least 1 win in a Group 1-3

A 2yo hasn’t won this race since way back in 2007 when Kingsgate Native was successful, so it looks a big ask for Lady Iman. 11 of the last 12 winners were 4 or older, so that does rule out quite a few at the top of the betting.

At 9/1, SHE’S QUALITY makes tons of appeal. She won 3 times last season, and while she is yet to get her head in front this term, that isn’t without trying. She has finished runner-up on all 4 starts, but they have included some big runs in defeat, including being denied just a neck by Jm Jungle in the King George at Glorious Goodwood. I see no reason why she won’t go close again, and she comes out really well on the trends.

Sayidah Dariyan caught my eye with how she quickened clear to win the Summer Stakes at this track over 6f last month. If she handles the drop back in trip and gets the gaps, she could prove dangerous. Asfoora was fourth beaten just over a length last year, so also has to be respected.

Bet on SHE’S QUALITY each way at 9/1 with Coral

York 4.10 Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies’ Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 1m2f56y

I think you can argue that WONDER STAR should be the favourite for this. She was a big eye-catcher on her handicap debut, beaten just half a length. She was slowly into stride and also had to switch when asked to challenge. This track should suit her better, and I think she is armed with quite a bit of potential. She is 2lb higher, but I’ll be amazed if she doesn’t rate a lot higher than her current mark going forward.

Zgharta did look a bit unlucky at Glorious Goodwood last month and will likely have her supporters here. Hollie Doyle has been relieved from the role for owner Imad Alsagar, so Oisin Murphy will be in the saddle. Of the rest, Cape Flora arrives in winning form after bolting up at Leicester and is clearly another one who must enter calculations.

Bet on WONDER STAR each way at 9/2 with bet365

York 4.45 British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes (Class 2) 7f

Not a great deal to go on here, so no real strong opinion, but experience often counts for plenty, so NAVAL LIGHT is worth chancing again. This Havana Grey colt went close on debut before running creditably behind Charles Darwin and co in the Norfolk Stakes.

He did well to recover from a slow start to go close at Goodwood last month, and up to 7f for the first time. If he progresses again as expected, he should be bang there.

No Nay Never colt Frescobaldi was denied just a head in Ireland when last seen, and freshened up, with this the likely target looks a big danger under Ryan Moore. Inishbeg is an intriguing debutant and certainly looks the part on paper, so the betting will be informative regarding his chance first time out for Kevin Ryan.

Bet on NAVAL LIGHT to win at 10/3 with Betfred

York 5.20 Sky Bet Mile Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 7f192y

There have been some big-priced winners of the Sky Bet Mile down the years, so I have looked away from the top of the market or the lucky last. 

DIVIDEND looks very appealing at a double-figure price. He has only had 9 starts and has won 4 of them, so he certainly has a decent strike rate. He was beaten less than a length in the Britannia, which was a huge run given he was sent off at 50/1. He is 4lb higher but is open to further improvement and could surprise a few again here with Rossa Ryan back in the saddle – rode him to all four career wins.

Fearnot Fly jumped at the start at Ascot last time but still managed to beat Bullet Point. That was a big run, and if he settles better here, he will be a danger to all as his form is progressive. Fifth Column is likeable and wasn’t beaten far at Goodwood, so could bounce back with a big run as well.

Bet on DIVIDEND each way at 14/1 with bet365

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

It is no surprise to see TRAWLERMAN a short price for the Lonsdale Cup as it is hard to find any chinks in his armour and I expect him to bounce out and make all under Buick.

Obviously, as a single, he doesn’t pay much, so double him up with DO OR DO NOT in the Gimcrack, as this colt has recorded a high level of form in just a handful of starts to date and should find this easier and get his head in front.

Bet a Win Double on TRAWLERMAN and DO OR DO NOT at 3/1 with bet365

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