Horse Racing Tips: Ed Quigley's York Best Bets for Saturday, July 25 - Pride Of Arras Picks

Written By Ed Quigley | Published at July 25, 2026

BEVERLEY RACECOURSE, EAST YORKSHIRE, UK : 21 April 2022 : The sight of racehorses finishing a race on The Westwood with St Marys Parish Church, Beverley in the background

It's Saturday, and it's a busy afternoon of action in store, with Ascot's King George looking like a red-hot renewal, and the race takes centre stage. York also hosts some classy races, and Ed Quigley, who has been firing in the winners lately, is in the hot seat here to give his best bets for what should be a wonderful day.

Saturday's Horse Racing Tips for July 25: Calandagan can win the King George again in what looks like a cracker, and Pride Of Arras looks one to keep an eye on at York...

Ascot 1.45 - Alta Regina

Wathnan Racing Filly ran well at the Royal Meeting and looks as though a step up in trip will suit...

Alta Regina is a lightly raced filly who can really benefit from the step up in trip here with Jamie Spencer back in the saddle once more. She looked electric when winning on debut at Lingfield, and then ran a good race to finish sixth in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot. I think you can upgrade that performance as she stayed on well in the closing stages despite being on the wrong side of the draw. The lower numbers had the advantage on the far side, and so she did well in the circumstances to finish as well as she did from a high berth. I think she has massive claims here and looks poised to get back in the winning groove here.

York 2.35 - Pride Of Arras

The enigmatic Pride of Arras comes alive on the Knavesmire, and can strike again for the Ralph Beckett team ...

Pride Of Arras has a lot of ability, but blows very hot and cold. However,his best performances have come at York, and I wouldn't rule out a return to winning ways as he returns to the Knavesmire. He is two from two at the track, and clearly enjoys the combination of a flat track and quick ground. The Ralph Beckett team are in good form, and this combination are more than capable of getting in the shake-up at the business end of proceedings here. Irem will be happier back over the same Course and Distance as his Dante win and looks fairly solid, but I wouldn't write off Pride Of Arras back at this venue.

Ascot 3.35 - Calandagan

Calandagan is the defending Champion and can land the spoils ...

Calandagan is a class act and the French raider can win this race once again. On paper this looks an absolute belter of a renewal, but Calandagan has the class, and can fend off his rivals here. He has favourite underfoot conditions and can confirm his superiority here. There are some superb rivals in opposition including the 3-year-old Benvenuto Cellini who will be looking for more success on the back of Irish Classic success, and has to be feared for the Aidan O'Brien team. Masquerade Ball ran Calandagan close in the Japan Cup, and should run another big race here, but the feeling is that if he couldn't beat him on home soil, then he may struggle to get as close at Ascot, as Calandagan has form figures of 1211 at Ascot, so is very much 'at home' in this scenario. Kalpana is a smart individual but probably would enjoy some more give underfoot, and Minnie Hauk will enjoy the return to this trip, but may just lack the raw ability to win a race of this quality. Calandagan is an elite racehorse who should have everything in his favour, and has the tools required to win once again in a race to savour.