Ambiente Friendly Starts Afresh In Sefton Heat

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


The Gleneagles colt was formerly trained by James Fanshawe, for whom he was second to City Of Troy at Epsom and then a close-up 3rd at the Curragh in the Irish Derby.


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


"He's extremely well, he's been training well and this is a good beginning point for him," stated Owen.


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


"He's been very uncomplicated 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 build from, he's going to begin from it but he remains in a great place and should run well."


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


Owen added: "He's been training effectively, I believe he'll be pleased he hasn't got a flight of difficulties in front of him!


"He's training well, he's fit and he must give a good account of himself."


Charlie Appleby has two 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 think we have two live players. Ottoman Fleet has a good record at Newmarket and has actually returned from Dubai fit and well.


"I'm sure he will install his normal strong efficiency and needs to be bang there at the surface once again.


"First Conquest enhanced throughout the winter and I felt he lost nothing in defeat in the Singspiel Stakes, when he gained 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 complete the field of 6.