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Ambiente Friendly tops Irish Derby betting after connections confirm Los Angeles rematch

Ambiente Friendly will bid to confirm his superiority over Los Angeles when the pair meet once again in the Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday 30th June.

AMBIENTE FRIENDLY.
AMBIENTE FRIENDLY. Picture: Healy Racing.

The James Fanshawe-trained colt only found the remarkable City Of Troy too strong at Epsom earlier in the month and connections have confirmed he'll attempt to go one spot better in the Irish equivalent later in the month.

Aidan O'Brien confirmed on Sunday that his Epsom Derby hero will head to Sandown for the ten-furlong Coral Eclipse Stakes next month, but the maestro of Ballydoyle will still be represented with Los Angeles, who finished third behind Ambiente Friendly at Epsom, set to renew his rivalry.

Ambiente Friendly will need to be supplemented for the Irish Classic at the cost of €100,000, although that sum will be covered courtesy of his victory in the Lingfield Derby Trial in May.

"After the dust settled, we were very keen to keep him at a mile and a half and, as importantly, stay against his own age group. It was the only option really and I'm really looking forward to it and I think the race will suit him," explained Gredley to the PA News Agency.

"We want to do what is right by the horse and the conditions of the Irish Derby seem a lot more favourable than going to the Eclipse.

"They came and won our Derby and for the sport, it only seems fair to go and have a go over there. We think the gradients of the Curragh and conditions of the race will suit, so that is why we have decided to go there."

Paddy Power reacted to the news by enlisting Ambiente Friendly as the new 5/4 market leader, with the reopposing Los Angeles a 6/4 chance to turn the tables.

Gredley also confirmed that Rab Havlin, who took over from Callum Shepherd in the lead-up to Epsom, will continue his partnership with the son of Gleneagles.

Gredley said: "Rab will ride, and we all had a good chat this morning – Mr Fanshawe and I also spoke to Rab and Freddie Tylicki. We are all in unanimous agreement that we should go to Ireland."


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