Favourite Ambiente Friendly "in really good form" for Irish Derby (original) (raw)

Ambiente Friendly "in really good form" for Irish Derby after participation confirmed

James Fanshawe's colt finished second to City Of Troy at Epsom and bids to go one place better in Ireland. The son of Gleneagles is owned by Bill Gredley and will be ridden by Rab Havlin

Before he went to Epsom, Ambiente Friendly was an impressive winner of the William Hill Lingfield Derby Trial

James Fanshawe believes Ambiente Friendly is peaking at the right time for Sunday’s Duty Free Irish Derby.

The promising Bill Gredley-owned stayer was added to the Curragh field at a cost of €100,000 earlier today. His participation comes four weeks after he kept galloping for second place in Epsom's equivalent Classic.

The son of Gleneagles is 5-4 with William Hill to go one better with Rab Havlin steering. "It's extremely exciting to have a runner in the Irish Derby," Fanshawe said. "I'm standing here watching him enjoy a pick of grass in his paddock. He lost nine kilos from his Epsom run and put it back on fairly quickly. In the last ten days he has been in really good form.

"He has got more relaxed and enjoyed a piece of work on the Newmarket gallops last Wednesday." Ambiente Friendly is expected to renew rivalry with fellow Epsom minor medallist Los Angeles, one of six entries trained by Aidan O'Brien.

The Ballydoyle handler's strength in numbers led to a 400th top-level strike with Auguste Rodin at Royal Ascot. Fanshawe is campaigning Ambiente Friendly for his 24th from Pegasus Stables and he added: "Mr Gredley set the Classic target early on and the horse has thrived on that programme. "Aidan's horses are flying so it should be a really good race. Hopefully we can go and deliver again."

Mirror readers could be backing a winner by joining our FREEracing club.

We’ve launched the Punters Club which will offer members news, tips and analysis from our leading writers, PLUS members will also get access to some fantastic free ticket offers and exclusive competitions. You’ll get all this delivered straight to your email inbox – and best of all our club is free!

So don’t miss out - CLICK HERE to join free today!

Sign up 25+ only. Terms and conditions apply, see form below for details.