York Ebor Festival ante-post tips: Concorde can fly to victory

The Gosdens have not had many runners in the Ebor, but any horses they do have in the race should be taken seriously. The yard not only trained Trawlerman to victory in 2022, but they also saddled the first two home in 2018 and have had the likes of Sweet William go close.

This year, they could well be represented by VALEDICTORY, who follows the Trawlerman path of being a four-year-old that contested the bet365/Betway Trophy Heritage Handicap at the July Festival.

Trawlerman could only manage tenth in the 2022 renewal en-route to Goodwood and Ebor glory, but off a 6lb lower mark, Valedictory continued his progression with a gutsy win on the July Course last week.

That win took his record to two wins from as many starts over 1m6f and, with just seven races under his belt, there could well be more improvement to come. The half-brother to Belmont Derby winner Title Role has not always been straightforward – he was gelded after two starts and unseated his rider on the way to the start when winning at Goodwood in May.

However, he followed that win up by producing his most professional and impressive performance yet at Newmarket on Friday off a 5lb higher mark and is unlikely to go up much more than his current mark of 92.

Unbeaten in cheekpieces, he has a large stride which should suit the galloping nature of the Knavesmire and he looks like an out-and-out stayer, a more strongly run race in a bigger field like the Ebor could see him to better effect.

The Sky Bet Lowther Stakes looks an intriguing race on the Thursday of the meeting and the complexion of the Group Two may well change significantly over the next month. The current market leader Señorita Bonita is as short as 5-2, but she is due to be heading to France next, so there could be a bit of value to be had.

The one I like the most is Paddy Twomey's once-raced filly CONCORDE LANDED. The daughter of Sioux Nation could not have been more impressive when winning over the minimum trip at Naas on debut earlier this month in a good time.

Sent off the 13-8 favourite against some smart looking types, she was clearly highly thought of ahead of this and looked smart, forging clear to score by five lengths under gently encouragement ahead of a Ballydoyle runner who had already gained racecourse experience.

A late foal, Concorde Landed made 200,000gns at the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-Up Sale and has a page littered with with speed influences, but given how well she settled and saw her race out on debut, she should give herself every chance of staying six furlongs on the Knavesmire.

Furthermore, given the owners Bond Thoroughbred Limited's links to York and her trainers' positive post-race comments regarding this race as a target, it would be a surprise should she not turn up here. With plenty of doubtful runners in the market, her current odds of 8-1 make strong appeal, with further improvement very likely.

Sky Bet Lowther Stakes: CONCORDE LANDED at 8-1 (Sky Bet, Paddy Power and Unibet).

Sky Bet Ebor Handicap: VALEDICTORY at a general 14-1.