The Ebor festival: everything you need to know for four days at York races

The four-day Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor festival starts on Wednesday with plenty of top-class Group action and the Sky Bet Ebor, the richest handicap in Europe, to look forward to at York races.

Racing begins at 1.55 each day, but five minutes earlier on Saturday, and is broadcast on Racing TV and ITV. You can also follow all of the action and read previews of the key races at racingpost.com.

What are the highlights?

Wednesday: The Juddmonte International (3.35) is not just one of the highlights of the Ebor festival but one of the top races of the season. The mile-and-a-quarter contest has been won by the likes of Frankel, Sea The Stars and Australia in recent years, and has attracted another quality field including the world's top-rated horse, Crystal Ocean.

The Group 2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (3.00) always provides potential clues for the St Leger, while the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (2.25) is another intriguing event.

Enable (front): will run at York on ThursdayCredit: Mark Cranham

Thursday: The superstar Enable returns to action in the Group 1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks (3.35) and she takes on a strong field of fillies including Magical and Oaks heroine Anapurna. Fillies are also in action in the Group 2 Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (1.55).

Friday: We are treated to a red-hot renewal of the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (3.35), with top sprinters Battaash and Ten Sovereigns clashing in the five-furlong contest.

The Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup (2.25) is another highlight with Stradivarius bidding to land another £1 million bonus, while the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes (3.00) is another Group 2 worth watching.

Saturday: With a record £600,000 going to the winner of the Sky Bet Ebor (3.40) it is no surprise to expect a quality running of the illustrious handicap. King's Advice, who has won a phenomenal eight times this year, is the ante-post favourite. The Group 2 City Of York Stakes (3.00), also sponsored by Sky Bet, is another race to note.

What is the history of the Ebor?

The Ebor is one of the most prestigious handicap races in the world, going back to 1843. It is staged over a distance of just under a mile and three-quarters and this year's race is worth a record-breaking £1 million.

Muntahaa: winner of the Ebor last seasonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

It is also being run as an open handicap for the first time and several classy-looking horses could take advantage of that new rule. Latrobe, winner of the Irish Derby last year, is of particular interest.

Only one nine-year-old has landed the prize, Sea Pigeon in 1979, and Willie Mullins' pair Thomas Hobson and Max Dynamite could attempt to repeat that feat.

Who will win the Ebor?

That's the million-pound question! King's Advice is favourite but make sure to visit the tipping section at racingpost.com for the best punting advice from our experts.

Members' Club subscribers can read Tom Segal's two ante-post selections here.

Get free tipping content with Today's Top Tips from 6pm the previous evening on the Racing Post mobile app