Former Flat ace Ambiente Friendly handed Cheltenham Festival target after first win over jumps

Ambiente Friendly and Sam Twiston-Davies win at HuntingdonCredit: Steve Davies

Ambiente Friendly got his head in front for the first time since winning the Lingfield Derby Trial 18 months ago when scoring on his second outing over jumps in the 2m novices' hurdle.

On a wet day in Cambridgeshire, James Owen's runner took up his usual pathfinder role under Sam Twiston-Davies but looked cooked approaching the last when headed by market rival Wondering Why.

However, last year's Derby runner-up unearthed some of his old Flat tenacity to get up close home and score by half a length.

Owen said of the Gredley family-owned four-year-old: "It's lovely to see. He's moved forward from Cheltenham [finished fourth on hurdles debut] and it's nice to see him progress. He's one of the easiest horses to train but has been disappointing on the Flat.

"We will do right by the horse but he's not in love with soft ground so he won't be running until the new year when we could look at something like the County Hurdle [at the Cheltenham Festival], as they can't go quick enough for him."

O'Neills are back in business

Jonjo and AJ O'Neill got the wheels back on their season when We're Red And Blue gave them a first win in 35 days with a battling success in the 2m handicap hurdle.

The 11-2 chance was among the Jackdaws Castle team that had performed below par when finishing only tenth of 12 at Aintree on November 8, prompting the yard to shut up shop for three weeks.

We're Red And Blue was the yard's fifth runner since the O'Neills returned to action on December 2.

We're Red And Blue and Jonjo O'Neill Jr win the Sky Bet Handicap HurdleCredit: Steve Davies

Jonjo O'Neill said: "That's a relief. It's just nice to see them running well again after we closed up for three weeks. It's just having the experience to take action when they are not finishing [their races]. Hopefully, we've turned a corner. This fellow is a horse we've always held in high regard."

More for Moores

Ti'mamzel was given an opening quote of 25-1 by Paddy Power for the Champion Bumper after springing a minor surprise under Caoilin Quinn in the Listed Mares' Open National Hunt Flat Race.

The 12-1 chance was extending the hot streak of Gary and Josh Moore when outstaying some fancied opposition.

The winning jockey said: "She'd worked well at home but we hadn't been able to get a racecourse gallop into her. She's a big mare so she'll have a break now."

Off the mark

Draco Malfoy may be named after a Harry Potter baddie but Tom Bellamy did not need his magic wand to steer him to an easy first win under rules in the 2m4½f maiden hurdle.

The well-backed even money chance came away from the last to give Ascot boss Sir Francis Brooke a winner for Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls.

Bellamy said: "Once Draco Malfoy was beaten in his first bumper he was never going to win one of those, but he enjoyed it out there today. He'd excelled in his schooling and we came here confident."

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