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 today.
The Gleneagles colt was previously trained by James Fanshawe, for whom he was second to City Of Troy at Epsom and then a close-up third at the Curragh in the Irish Derby.
He has since been moved to James Owen’s yard by owners the Gredley family and will make his first start for his new handler and rider Hector Crouch in the nine-furlong Group Three.
“He’s very well, he’s been training nicely and this is a good starting point for him,” said Owen.
“We’re looking forward to getting him on the track, obviously this is his first start for us, so it’s exciting.
“He’s been very straightforward at home and Hector has got on well with him.
“It’s a race we’ll build from, he’s going to come on from it but he’s in a good place and should run well.”
The same trainer and owner are also represented by Lavender Hill Mob, who switches his attention to the Flat having been campaigned over hurdles through the winter.
Owen added: “He’s been training very well, I think he’ll be pleased he hasn’t got a flight of hurdles in front of him!
“He’s training well, he’s fit and he should 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 returned from Dubai fit and well.
“I’m sure he will put up his usual solid performance and should be bang there at the finish again.
“First Conquest improved 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 a fit horse following his Dubai campaign.”
Richard Hannon’s Persica and Alice Haynes’ Cairo complete the field of six.
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