Friendly firing ahead of Derby

AMBIENTE FRIENDLY was slashed to 8-1 for Epsom after he trounced his field in Lingfield’s William Hill Derby Trial.

The previously unconsidered Classic colt had jockey Callum Shepherd looking behind him for dangers on the run-in.

But there were none as James Fanshawe’s exciting young prospect quickened away from 6-4 favourite Illinois.

Bookmakers scrambled to cut the four-and-a-half-length winner’s odds from a huge pre-race high of 100-1.

And Shepherd, who has never had a Derby ride, was surprised to find a genuine contender for the main event on June 1.

“I couldn’t have expected to be looking around in a Derby trial if I was in a winning position,” he said.

“That was just exceptional – he split the field so comfortably.

“The ground was much quicker, which he was unproven on, but he handled it beautifully. I can’t speak highly enough of him.”

As a juvenile, Ambiente Friendly was a long way behind Ancient Wisdom, set to state his case for Derby glory in next week’s Dante Stakes at York.

“We quickly cut the winner to 10-1 after the race, but the money continued to come and he’s now joint-third in the betting at 8-1,” said Hills spokesman Lee Phelps.

In an open renewal, City Of Troy heads the firm’s market at 4-1, as he bids to bounce back from a disappointing 2,000 Guineas effort.

Trainer Aidan O’brien, with a record nine titles to his name, also has number one Oaks contender Ylang Ylang (5-2).

She hardened in price after John Gosden’s filly Danielle failed to impress at the Surrey circuit – and is out to 16-1.

You Got To Me

(7-2) went four points shorter in the antepost book when she made all in the fillies’ trial for Hector Crouch. But the layers were more impressed with O’brien’s Rubies Are Red (8-1 for the Oaks), who made relentless late ground and was just halfa-length away from snatching the prize.