Ebor 2026 field confirmed as Willie Mullins targets third win in four years

A full field of 22 runners will line up for Saturday’s £500,000 Sky Bet Ebor Handicap at York, with Willie Mullins set to be represented by two leading contenders.

Love Me Tender secured the final place in the field and will make his debut for Mullins in the 3.35pm contest, with William Buick booked to ride.

The four-year-old was bought for €180,000 at the Arqana Autumn Sale in November and enjoyed two victories in Germany towards the end of last year. He subsequently finished fourth in a Listed race at Chantilly in October.

Mullins has won the Ebor twice in the past three years, with Absurde and Ethical Diamond, and will also saddle Mr Hollywood.

The Galway winner finished a close third in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and arrives at York seeking another major handicap success.

Joseph O’Brien’s Emit heads the betting and will be partnered by Ryan Moore. The four-year-old is still seeking his first victory after seven starts, but produced an encouraging effort when finishing fifth in the Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot.

Klassleader, trained by William Haggas, and Andrew Balding’s Tarriance could provide the strongest home challenge in the field.

Notable Speech heads City of York Stakes field

Classic winner Notable Speech is among 14 declarations for Saturday’s Group 1 Sky Bet City of York Stakes, the final Group 1 race of this year’s Ebor meeting.

The Charlie Appleby-trained five-year-old has already claimed top-level honours this season after winning the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

However, the Dubawi gelding will be looking to bounce back after finishing sixth as favourite in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on his latest start.

The 2024 2,000 Guineas winner will renew rivalry with Ten Bob Tony, who has enjoyed an excellent season for Ed Walker.

The Night Of Thunder gelding landed the Queen Anne Stakes and has also won a Group 3 at Epsom this term. He was most recently fourth behind Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

Lake Forest will also take his chance for William Haggas after a mixed week at Goodwood. He won the Lennox Stakes before finishing seventh in the Sussex Stakes.

Eve Johnson Houghton’s Zavateri is another notable contender, while Japan’s Satono Reve adds an international dimension to the race after being beaten by a nose when second in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Andrew Balding won the City of York Stakes 12 months ago with Never So Brave and this time relies on Flora Of Bermuda.

Wathnan Racing, who own Flora Of Bermuda, will also be represented by Paborus and Native Warrior. Paborus made a winning return from a year-long absence when landing a Group 3 at Newcastle on his latest outing.

The City Of York Stakes is scheduled for 3pm on Saturday, with the Ebor following at 3.35pm as the feature race of the final day of the festival.