Phill Anderson's tips for Friday include two selections from Newmarket and one from Dundalk.
This is one of the busiest Saturdays of the year, with eight meetings between the UK and Ireland, featuring loads of classy races, plus the first day of the Arc’ meeting at ParisLongchamp. We have bets in two of the big races at Newmarket plus two in France.
HARBOUR WIND @ 15/8 (Longchamp 12.23)
PORTA FORTUNA @ 9/1 (Newmarket 2.25)
GREEK ORDER @ 7/2 (Newmarket 3.40)
MELO MELO @ 10/3 (Longchamp 3.33)
Greek to call the orders
The Cambridgeshire is the big betting race of the day at Newmarket and, as usual, loads of horses have chances from among the 34-strong field.
Bopedro has won twice at the Newmarket tracks this term and was unlucky in Ireland last time but has never won over this far. Top-weight Astro King won a very competitive York handicap last time but s off a career-high mark now. Ryan Moore rides Saga for the Gosdens and he has to have a chance too.
However, this can often go to an improving 3yo so Terwada plus stablemates Merlin The Wizard and GREEK ORDER (7/2) are high on the list with preference for the last-named.
Trained by Harry and Roger Charlton, this lightly-raced colt was an impressive winner over 1m2f at Newbury last time and will definitely stay this strongly-run 1m1f. Though he is 10lb higher now, he could well be a Group horse in a handicap and he has been well-backed for this race; he can take the spoils under Oisin Murphy.
Porta Fortuna some value
In an open-looking renewal of the Group 1 Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes over six furlongs, Donnacha O’Brien’s PORTA FORTUNA (9/1) could be a bit of value with Betway paying each-way on the first four home.
She won the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, beating today’s rival Soprano before finishing second in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes against colts. The ground had gone too soft for her in the Moyglare Stakes over 7f last time but coming back to this trip on fast ground again will really suit her and she can score, also with Oisin Murphy aboard.
Wind to blow strong
At Longchamp, Dermot Weld’s rapidly improving 3yo stayer HARBOUR WIND (15/8) can take the Group 2 Qatar Prix Chaudenay under regular rider Chris Hayes.
It’s hard to gauge how soft the ground will be over there with the possibility of watering overnight but it shouldn’t make much difference to him as he has won on soft and good. He impressed when winning a Listed race at Leopardstown last time and should have no difficulty in staying this slightly longer trip.
Melo Melo too good
In the Group 1 Qatar Prix de Royallieu over 1 mile 6f, MELO MELO (10/3) holds strong claims on her second to Warm Heart in the Group 1 Prix Vermeille at the track last time.
She is already a C&D winner and while she will need a bit of luck in running in this 14-strong field, she should win if not getting into trouble under top rider Mikael Barzalona.
