Ambiente Friendly Poised for Epic Showdown Against Arc Favourite Look De Vega in Qatar Prix Niel
James Fanshawe: ‘He worked on Tuesday morning and seemed in great form.’
Ambiente Friendly Set for High-Stakes Showdown Against Prix de l’Arc Favourite Look De Vega in Qatar Prix Niel
In a highly anticipated clash at ParisLongchamp, Ambiente Friendly will face off against the Prix du Jockey Club hero and current Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe favourite Look De Vega in the Qatar Prix Niel this Sunday. With the stakes higher than ever, all eyes will be on the Fanshawe-trained colt as he steps up for this
intense battle on soft ground, a surface he hasn’t tackled since his debut at Leicester.
Riding Ambiente Friendly will be none other than the highly experienced Christophe Soumillon, taking over from regular jockey Robert Havlin. The pressure is mounting, but according to trainer James Fanshawe, his colt is primed for the
challenge.
“He worked on Tuesday morning and seemed in great form,” Fanshawe confidently shared. “It looks like being soft ground over there, but he has won on soft ground at Leicester in the past. That was only over seven furlongs, so we will have to see. He seems in good shape, working well, and everything is on schedule for Sunday.”
This will be a huge test for Ambiente Friendly as he takes on one of the season's most dominant forces, Look De Vega, and a field brimming with talent. The race promises not just to determine who’s the best but to also shape future paths for these rising stars in horse racing.
High-Calibre Competition Awaits
While all eyes are on Ambiente Friendly and Look De Vega, the Qatar Prix Niel is filled with fierce competition. Andre Fabre’s Sosie, another strong contender, enters
the fray after securing third in the French Derby behind Look De Vega before going on to claim the Grand Prix de Paris over the same course. Sosie’s summer victory adds yet another layer of intrigue to this already packed lineup.
The event features a total of nine runners left after Wednesday’s forfeit stage,ensuring a tightly contested race. Fanshawe’s focus is solely on Ambiente Friendly’s performance. “We’ll see how he gets on before thinking about future plans,” the trainer added, acknowledging the heat of the competition, “but he goes there in good form.”
Prix Vermeille: A Battle of Titans
The ParisLongchamp card also promises fireworks in the Group One Prix Vermeille, another hotly anticipated race. Ralph Beckett’s Bluestocking may be facing formidable rivals in Aidan O’Brien’s Opera Singer, winner of the prestigious Nassau Stakes, and the seasoned campaigner Emily Upjohn from John and Thady Gosden’s yard.
This trio isn’t the only notable competition, though. Hughie Morrison’s Stay Alert and Gavin Hernon’s Dare to Dream are also in the mix, with 11 runners remaining in contention for the coveted title.
The spotlight will be on Beckett’s Bluestocking, but there’s no shortage of high-profile competition in this deep and talented field. The Prix Vermeille will be another thrilling chapter in this racing season, with implications that will ripple through upcoming Group One events.
Unbeaten Look De Vega lands the French Derby in style for @CYLerner and @RonanThomass at @fgchantilly pic.twitter.com/5iHp23TiHH
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 2, 2024
Continuous Eyes Redemption in Prix Foy
In another feature on the ParisLongchamp card, Aidan O’Brien’s Continuous heads the lineup for the Group Two Qatar Prix Foy. The colt had an illustrious three-year-old campaign, including a victory in the 2023 St Leger and strong performances in both the Derby at Epsom and the Irish Derby, where he finished third.
However, Continuous’s form faltered when he turned in a lackluster performance in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York. He’ll be looking to bounce back and reignite his momentum in this red-hot event as he sets his sights on further big-race assignments later in the autumn.
This Sunday at ParisLongchamp, the Qatar Prix Niel is not just another race; it’s a pivotal moment for Ambiente Friendly and Look De Vega, with a ripple effect on the rest of the season. Ambiente Friendly’s connection with the accomplished Christophe Soumillon could prove crucial in this high-stakes battle, where every decision made by both horse and jockey will matter. Look De Vega, the Arc favourite, stands as a towering challenge, but the unpredictability of soft ground could offer the underdog a fighting chance.The intense competition seen throughout this card underscores the grandeur of ParisLongchamp this weekend. From the battle in the Prix Vermeille to Continuous's redemption arc in the Prix Foy, the racing world holds its breath for drama, triumphs, and surprises.
