Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly ready for hurdling bow

Last year’s Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly is set to make his hurdling debut at Cheltenham on Sunday.

An impressive winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial for James Fanshawe, the son of Gleneagles found only City Of Troy too strong in the premier Classic at Epsom and then finished third behind Los Angeles in the Irish equivalent.

However, having lost his way Ambiente Friendly moved across Newmarket to join James Owen prior to the Flat season, but despite being gelded over the summer he has again failed to rediscover his best form.

Connections are now hoping a change of discipline will reignite the flame, with the opening mallardjewellers.com Maiden Hurdle on day three of Cheltenham’s November meeting his planned starting point.

“He’ll be declared to run on Sunday, he’s schooled very well and we’re looking forward to seeing him over hurdles,” said Owen.

“Ideally he wouldn’t want the ground to be too testing – any Flat horse doesn’t want it too testing.

“He’s taken to it very well at home and he’s sort of set himself up for going hurdling because he hasn’t been performing very well on the Flat this season. Hopefully this can reinvigorate him.”