'He's doing everything nice and easy and is ready to go' - Ambiente Friendly set for seasonal return

Charlie Appleby is the trainer to follow in the Earl of Sefton Stakes and is responsible for probable market leader Ottoman Fleet, who is seeking a hat-trick in the Group 3 contest. 

The six-year-old, who has justified favouritism in this race in each of the last two seasons, was unable to score in either appearance at Meydan over the winter, the last of which came when fourth behind Romantic Warrior in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta.

The son of Sea The Stars did, however, win twice in America last year and has his first outing in Britain since defeating Astro King in this 1m1f contest 12 months ago. He has won four of his five starts on the Rowley Mile, and is the one they have to beat.

Appleby, who also won this race with Master Of The Seas in 2022 and with French Navy in 2015, is also represented by First Conquest, who produced an impressive Racing Post Rating of 91 when winning at the track on his debut at this fixture last year.

First Conquest: runs in the Earl of SeftonCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The four-year-old won twice at Meydan in January before being defeated by stablemate Nations Pride in the Group 2 Singspiel Stakes last month.

Ambiente Friendly is the biggest threat to Appleby making it four Earl of Sefton victories in a row. The Derby runner-up will be making his debut for James Owen – who also runs Lavender Hill Mob – after winning two of his eight starts for previous trainer James Fanshawe.

The four-year-old, who recorded a career-best RPR of 120 when second to City Of Troy at Epsom last June, will be ridden by Hector Crouch for the first time.

Ambiente Friendly makes his debut for Owen

Owner Tim Gredley is excited about the return of Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly, who makes his first start for James Owen in this Group 3.

Beaten just under three lengths by City Of Troy at Epsom, the Gleneagles colt was last seen finishing fifth of five in the Group 2 Prix Niel at Longchamp last September. 

Gredley said: "He's had a long break, but seems really well in himself and we thought this would be a nice place for him to start.

Ambiente Friendly: chased home City Of Troy in the DerbyCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I don't want to start waxing lyrical because you never know until they get on the track, but we think he's a classy horse and he's doing everything nice and easy – he's ready to go. Rather than going for a racecourse gallop we thought we might as well run him and see where we are."

Stablemate Lavender Hill Mob is the 50-1 outsider of the six-runner field after spending the winter running over hurdles. Despite a smart win at Warwick in January, he was well beaten at Haydock and Huntingdon before finishing 16th of 22 in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival.

Gredley added: "He didn't take to jumping the way we thought and probably just doesn't stay and doesn't enjoy hurdles. We galloped him the other day, but on ratings he's well below Ambiente Friendly and the others in the race."

What they say

Charlie Appleby, trainer of First Conquest and Ottoman Fleet
We have two live players. Ottoman Fleet has a good record at Newmarket and has returned from Dubai fit and well. I’m sure he'll put up his usual solid performance and should be bang there at the finish again. First Conquest improved throughout the winter and I felt he lost nothing in defeat in the Singspiel Stakes, when he gained more experience. He's less exposed than Ottoman Fleet and comes here fit following his Dubai campaign.

Alice Haynes, trainer of Cairo
He's in good form after his time in Dubai, but we hope the rain doesn't come. It looks a good race for him and we're looking forward to getting his season started in Britain.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Persica
He’s come on a lot since the Winter Derby, so will strip much fitter here. He’s a much more relaxed colt now and is maturing all the time. This is his trip, and I’m very hopeful as this has been the plan for a while.

Read these next:

1.50 Newmarket: can Dark Thirty repeat last year's win in £50,000 handicap for Richard Hannon? 

2.25 Newmarket: 'He’s straight enough to do himself justice' - analysis and key quotes for the Feilden Stakes

3.35 Newmarket: 'Her work has been good' - which trainer has their filly in fine form ahead of the Nell Gwyn Stakes? 

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.