York Ebor Day 1 Tips: Call the Ombudsman on Wednesday

The 2025 York Ebor Festival gets underway on Wednesday and there is an exciting seven-race card to look forward to on day one. I have taken a good look at what lies ahead and I have picked out three selections that I consider to be some of the best bets of the day.

Read on to find out my York Ebor Day 1 Tips.

15:00 York - Carmers @ 11/2

We begin in the third race of the day which is a Class 1 Stakes race over 1m 4f. Vastly-successful trainer Aidan O'Brien boasts the favourite, Lambourn, who is currently priced at 8/11.

He's gunning for a fourth consecutive victory on Wednesday, as is CARMERS for Paddy Twomey's yard, who offers far greater value at 11/2.

Undefeated on his first three starts following his debut in May at Ballinrobe, before following up at Navan (both 1m 5f). He then stepped up to 1m 6f at Royal Ascot to complete the hat-trick as he didn't look fazed in covering an extra furlong.

Further improvement is needed from this rising star, but he has handled everything thrown at him so far. Stepping down to this trip on Wednesday shouldn't unsettle him at all but he is up against some rivals who are also in strong form.

I think there is a chance that he denies the favourite.

15:35 York - Ombudsman @ 7/4

This Group 1 Stakes contest over 1m 2 1/2f looks to be an interesting battle as a handful of the six runners declared all boast strong claims. OMBUDSMAN for John and Thady Gosden's yard is the current favourite but for good reason.

The four-year-old colt boasts four wins over 1m 2f and he has won five of his first seven starts since his debut at Newmarket (July) in June last year. He landed an impressive victory in the Group 1 Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot two months ago.

He was beaten by Delacroix on his last outing at Sandown and this rivalry is going to be renewed on Wednesday. The experienced and serial winner Will Buick is on board for this ride, having been on board for three of Ombudsman's victories to date.

16:45 York - Galaxy Zoo EW @ 10/1

I round off my Ebor selections for Day 1 with the penultimate race on the card, which is a Class 2 fillies-handicap over 5f. I have already picked out Luna A Inbhir Nis as my Nap of the Day, but there is another player I think can run a strong race and that is GALAXY ZOO for Ralph Beckett's yard.

Despite having issues at times when leaving the stalls, this three-year-old daughter of Zoustar has shown her quality with back-to-back successes at Southwell (AW) and Royal Ascot - both over 5f.

Her latest appearance at Ascot saw her win pretty comfortably and so she could have a huge say in this 21-horse contest. There is a 5lb rise to consider as he heads to York but it may not be enough to deny her from making further progress.

At 10/1, I think she offers good value each-way.

Click the links for all the latest Horse Racing Odds and Fast Racing Results

Find more Horse Racing Tips here at Betfred Insights