The placed horses from Epsom do battle again in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday and Ambiente Friendly can confirm form with Los Angeles in a competitive renewal.
Aidan O’Brien saddles half the field in a race that he has dominated this century but there have been English winners in two of the last three runnings and it can go for export again.
James Fanshawe’s charge ran a cracker in the Betfred Derby at the start of the month and he is fancied to come out on top now.
The Gleneagles colt was free early on around Epsom but was the last horse off the bridle down the straight before having to settle for second behind a brilliant winner in City Of Troy.
He galloped on to the line then without matching the winner and the trip doesn’t look an issue.
It was a really good performance considering how keen he was early on and Rab Havlin will be looking for cover to get him settled around this big galloping track.
The fact that Ballydoyle will also be keen for plenty of pace up front for Los Angeles could well play into the selection’s hands.
Los Angeles raced prominently around Epsom, hitting the front early in the straight, but he was swept aside by the first two home passing the two pole.
A bigger galloping track, and a strong pace, may suit him better now but it’s hard to see him turning the tables on Ambiente Friendly given the way he eased past him on the bridle that day.
Fanshawe’s charge looks to have a lot of class and if he settles a bit better now he’ll be hard to beat.
Another English challenger, Matsuri, is the dark horse in the field. Roger Varian’s charge is totally unexposed and was very impressive in a minor event at Leicester late last month.
This is a massive step up in class now but he is entitled to improve again on just his fourth career outing and has to be respected.
The chief support race on a marathon nine-race card is the Group 2 Railway Stakes and it’s often one of the best juvenile races of the season.
Bucanero Fuerte took the race last season for AMO Racing and they may be able to strike again with Arizona Blaze.
The Sergei Prokofiev colt ran a cracker at Royal Ascot when third in the Norfolk Stakes and his experience could prove crucial now against some unexposed Ballydoyle colts.
He was left on his own on the unfavoured stand’s rail at Ascot and ran really well in the circumstances to
be beaten just over a length by Shareholder.
Stepping back up to six now should help him as he won over this trip when taking the Marble Hill Stakes here last month.
Aidan O’Brien saddles three in the race with Ryan Moore partnering Tunbridge Wells.
Blackbeard’s brother pulled away in good style to win his maiden over course and distance earlier in the month and it’s interesting to see him fitted with cheek-pieces now.
The handicaps on the card look very tricky but one that does appeal is Sharinay in the opening nine-furlong contest for three-year-olds.
She bumped into one when chasing home Chicago Critic at Naas last month and that form has received a significant boost since.
The winner went on to run a big race in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, finishing third to Haatem.
Sharinay is only 2lb higher now and looks nicely treated having actually given weight to Chicago Critic last time.
SELECTION NEXT BEST
1.10: Sharinay Princess Child
1.40: Arizona Blaze (dbl) Tunbridge Wells
2.15: Commanche Falls Tango Flare
2.50: Kendall Roy Korker
3.25: Lord Massusus Romina Power
4.05: Ambiente Friendly (Nap) Los Angeles
4.40: State Actor May Night
5.15: Ojw Legacy Kayhana
5.50: Zoffman Pinot Gris
