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Trainer considers next target for “exciting” Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly

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7 months ago

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Trainer considers next target for “exciting” Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly

City Of Troy led home the field at Epsom, giving trainer Aidan O’Brien a tenth colts’ Classic. Ambiente Friendly obtained a silver medal, finishing within two and three-quarter lengths of the favourite

Ambiente Friendly continued his progression with second place in the Betfred Derby(PA)

  • By

    Melissa Jones

Top flight options at ten and twelve furlongs are open to James Fanshawe’s gallant Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly.

Under newly-appointed jockey Rab Havlin, the classy stayer raised his game to threaten Epsom hero City Of Troy.

One of nine horses owner Bill Gredley bought for his 90th birthday, Ambiente Friendly went down fighting by two and three-quarter lengths in Saturday’s big race. Rated 124 in the build-up, Aidan O’Brien’s tenth winner had 13lb in hand of his closest challenger, impressive when trialling at Lingfield.

Fanshawe is anticipating further improvement, as he mulls over Ambiente Friendly’s next outing – with the Curragh on June 30 and Sandown a week later under consideration.

“The Irish Derby (1m 4f) or the Eclipse (1m 2f) are races we could go for,” said the Newmarket trainer, based at historic stables built by five-time Derby winner Fred Archer in 1884.

“I will have a chat with Bill Gredley to see what he would like to do, once we know how our horse has recovered.”

Appointed for the ride at a late stage, Havlin was in with a real chance running downhill to Epsom’s final three furlongs. But City Of Troy, a son of American Triple Crown holder Justify and O’Brien’s 2014 Fillies’ Mile victor Together Forever, found another gear.

“It was a brilliant race, which showed Ambiente Friendly has made lots of progress since Lingfield – and he still has maturing to do,” Fanshawe added.

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