THE Juddmonte International has hardly been a friend to trainer James Fanshawe and owner Bill Gredley — but it could get more Friendly for the pair on Wednesday.
Oh yes people, York’s Ebor meeting is here, and, of course, the big race of the day — some would say the week – is straight in your face in the shape of the Group 1 Juddmonte International.
The greats of the turf have won the mile and a quarter showpiece, including in recent time the likes of Frankel, Baaeed and Sea the Stars.
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Fanshawe and Gredley tried to win it in 1991 and 1993 with their Coral-Eclipse ace Environment Friend.
But he was well beaten both times.
Today they are back with Ambiente Friendly, the Derby runner-up who renews rivalry with Epsom hero CITY OF TROY (3.35) in a deep field.
Now let’s be clear, short-price favourite City Of Troy can easily win this, even though his Eclipse success was laboured.
However I can’t help but feel Ambiente Friendly is a fair each-way bet.
He looked a classic non-stayer over the Derby mile and a half.
And again weakened in the Irish equivalent when third and running less well behind Los Angeles.
Ambiente Friendly travels strongly and clearly stays the longer distance as he won the Lingfield Derby Trial.
However in this kind of class I suspect ten furlongs is his trip and he has every chance of hitting the frame at the least — and, possibly, causing a small upset.
ITV coverage of starts at 1.50 with a sprint.
It goes without saying this is wide open — and the draw will be crucial.
Pilgrim and Holkham Bay are up in the weights massively, but I think there might still be a little bit more to come from SHAGRAAN, the mount of Tom Marquand and trained by Mick Appleby.
My selection was behind Pilgrim at Ascot recently but he was giving 2lb then and gets 2lb here.
He has since run well to win at Goodwood and is bang in form.
RULING COURT (2.25) will be hard to stop in the Group 3 Acomb.
The €2.3million juvenile by Justify was very impressive at Sandown on debut and was hammered in the betting so connections knew they had something useful.
The Group 2 Great Voltigeur is a St Leger trial.
On ratings Kings Gambit is right in the mix getting 5lb from LOS ANGELES (3.00).
But I can’t help but think the latter will grind this out.
KNIGHTSWOOD (4.10) was a real eye-catcher at Goodwood when behind the placed Great Bedwyn and he might be able to reverse that form.
Charlie Johnston’s experienced five-year-old has been in good form without winning, and prior to Goodwood had shaped well enough when fourth at Newmarket.
Knightswood runs here for the first time and I think the long straight will suit his style.
Good luck and Yeeehaaa!
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