"Will Al Aasy maintain his dominance or can William Haggas's Group 3 champion claim consecutive wins in the Glorious Stakes?"
After undergoing a gelding operation, Ambiente Friendly, trained by James Owen, is showing signs of improvement but consistency remains a challenge. The procedure was performed between Royal Ascot and early August 2025, and Owen is hopeful that the gelding will help the horse to relax and perform better.
Ambiente Friendly, who finished fourth in a race on August 2, 2025, has not yet recorded a win since the gelding operation. However, the trainer notes that the horse has settled at times and that there are more positives than negatives from the period following the gelding.
Before the gelding and trainer change, Ambiente Friendly enjoyed a successful run, finishing as a runner-up in the 2024 Derby. However, a sequence of disappointing results followed. At eight years old, Ambiente Friendly's current racing level is considered suitable for Listed, Group Three, and possibly occasional Group Two races, with top-tier Group One races potentially beyond his reach at this stage.
Meanwhile, Al Aasy, trained by William Haggas, is also preparing for an upcoming race. Despite being in good form, Al Aasy faces a 3lb penalty, which Haggas acknowledges isn't ideal. Al Aasy's performance in his last two starts, including the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, has been less than impressive. However, Al Aasy has exceeded the ten-year average winning Racing Post Rating in the Glorious Stakes, having won the race last year and seven Group 3 races since then.
Arabian Crown, trained by Charlie Appleby, could bounce back in the Glorious Stakes as he is unbeaten on a surface described as good to soft or worse. Arabian Crown, who was described as Godolphin's "main Derby horse" last year, has struggled since returning from a 11-month layoff. However, his trainer believes that the slower conditions at Goodwood will suit Arabian Crown well.
Raja Raja, trained by David Simcock, is another contender for the Glorious Stakes. Raja Raja has run well in his last two races and will run his race no matter what, but whether he's good enough to win the race is uncertain.
The Stewards' Cup, another upcoming race, is known to be a tough betting race with pace and draw conundrums playing a key role.
In the Glorious Stakes, easier conditions could be a concern for Al Aasy's stablemate Candleford and Meydaan. However, if the ground dries a bit, Candleford, another stablemate of Al Aasy, may run in the Glorious Stakes.
The Lillie Langtry's quality can vary quite wildly, according to analysis.
Ambiente Friendly's last win was in the Lingfield Derby Trial in May of last year. In the Derby last year, Ambiente Friendly recorded an RPR of 119 but has struggled in his three starts this season, including the Jockey Club Stakes and the Wolferton at Royal Ascot.
Despite the challenges, both Ambiente Friendly and Al Aasy are preparing to give their best in their upcoming races. Arabian Crown, still retaining potential as a four-year-old, could also bounce back in the Glorious Stakes. Raja Raja, while uncertain, is another contender to watch out for in the Stewards' Cup.
Despite Ambiente Friendly's recent struggles, sports after his gelding operation in June 2025, the horse still aims to deliver in his upcoming races. In contrast, Al Aasy, a consistent performer, faces a penalty in his upcoming race, failing to impress in his last two starts.
