Ambiente Friendly Starts Afresh In Sefton Heat

Last year's Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly will make both his seasonal and stable launching in the bet365 Earl of Sefton Stakes at on Tuesday.


The Gleneagles colt was formerly trained by James Fanshawe, for whom he was second to City Of Troy at Epsom and after that a close-up third at the Curragh in the Irish Derby.


He has since been moved to James Owen's backyard by owners the Gredley family and will make his first start for his brand-new handler and rider Hector Crouch in the nine-furlong Group 3.


"He's really well, he's been training well and this is a great beginning point for him," said Owen.


"We're eagerly anticipating getting him on the track, clearly this is his very first start for us, so it's amazing.


"He's been extremely straightforward in your home and Hector has actually got on well with him.


Ambiente Friendly winning the William Hill Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes (Steve Paston/PA)


"It's a race we'll construct from, he's going to come on from it however he's in a good location and should run well."


The exact same trainer and owner are also represented by Lavender Hill Mob, who switches his attention to the Flat having been campaigned over obstacles through the winter season.


Owen included: "He's been training extremely well, I believe he'll be happy he hasn't got a flight of difficulties in front of him!


"He's training well, he's in shape and he must offer a great account of himself."


Charlie Appleby has 2 entrants in 2023 and 2024 victor Ottoman Fleet and First Conquest, who will be ridden by William Buick and James Doyle respectively.


Appleby told www.godolphin.com: "I believe we have two live gamers. Ottoman Fleet has an excellent record at Newmarket and has returned from Dubai fit and well.


"I'm sure he will install his usual strong performance and must be bang there at the surface once again.


"First Conquest improved throughout the winter and I felt he lost nothing in defeat in the Singspiel Stakes, when he got more experience.


"He is less exposed than Ottoman Fleet and comes here an in shape horse following his Dubai project."


Richard Hannon's Persica and Alice Haynes' Cairo finish the field of 6.