Ebor 2026: Irish Runners, Odds and Willie Mullins’ Best Chances
The Ebor is exactly the sort of race where an Irish-focused shortlist makes more sense than another broad York Festival guide. Five Irish-trained runners have made Saturday’s final field of 22, including two for Willie Mullins. Before looking at the prices, readers can compare current Irish betting bonuses and Betting Sites Ireland before deciding where the value lies.
Ireland arrives with a strong recent record. Ethical Diamond led home an Irish-trained 1-2-3 in 2025, giving Mullins his third Ebor success after Sesenta in 2009 and Absurde in 2023.
The Irish challenge is strong again — but the prices matter more than the flag beside the trainer’s name.
Ebor 2026: race details and Irish runners
The Ebor takes place at York on Saturday, 22 August, with 22 runners declared and two reserves waiting for a place.
- Date: Saturday, 22 August 2026
- Time: 15:35
- Racecourse: York
- Distance: 1m5f 188y
- Field: 22 runners + 2 reserves
- Prize money: £500,000
- Going: Good to Soft
- Irish-trained runners: 5
Willie Mullins’ best Ebor chances
Willie Mullins has two runners in the final field: Love Me Tender and Mr Hollywood.
Love Me Tender is the shorter-priced and more intriguing contender. The four-year-old carries only 8-12, starts from stall 15 and has William Buick booked. He is unexposed and could have plenty of improvement left, but there are two obvious questions: he has been off for 299 days and has not yet proved himself over a trip close to 1m6f.
Mr Hollywood is easier to trust from a stamina perspective. He carries more weight at 9-7, but arrives fit after winning over hurdles at Galway and has previously shown strong Flat ability. At the current prices, Love Me Tender has the greater winning upside, while Mr Hollywood looks the more interesting each-way proposition.
They don’t come over for the fun of it.” — William Buick on riding for Willie Mullins at York.
Best Irish Ebor bets and current odds
Rather than forcing one win bet in a 22-runner handicap, the Irish runners offer several different angles.
Mr Hollywood each-way at 11.00. Love Me Tender may have the most untapped potential, but that is already reflected in his price. Mr Hollywood offers stronger stamina evidence at a double-figure quote.
Which other Irish runners can challenge?
Emit gives Joseph O’Brien a serious chance. He carries 9-6, has Ryan Moore booked and starts from stall 11. At 8.50, however, the market already rates him as one of the strongest runners in the race, so there is less margin for error.
Poetic Sound is more interesting at a bigger price. Ger Lyons’ five-year-old earned his place by winning a competitive 1m6f handicap at the Curragh and is available at 21.00. Stall 22 is wide, but his proven stamina makes him an obvious outsider to consider.
Ascending returns after finishing second in last year’s Ebor. Henry de Bromhead’s seven-year-old carries 9-0 and has already shown he can handle this specific race. The concern is whether he retains enough of last season’s form to go one better.
“If you’re not in, you can’t win.” — Ger Lyons
Ebor 2026 Irish runners: final ranking
Ireland has won four of the last five editions of the Ebor, including Ethical Diamond’s victory for Mullins in 2025. That record gives the visitors obvious credibility, but each runner comes with a different risk profile.
| Rank | Horse | Our view |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Love Me Tender | Best outright winning chance |
| 2 | Mr Hollywood | Best Irish each-way/value angle |
| 3 | Emit | Strong contender but short enough in the market |
| 4 | Poetic Sound | Interesting bigger-price option |
| 5 | Ascending | Proven Ebor form but needs a revival |
