Horse Racing Tips: We’ve a cracking Cheat Sheet for Friday at Newmarket

CHANTILLY did not come up to scratch at Royal Ascot when only eighth behind Going the Distance in the King George V Handicap. However, he was never placed to challenge in that event over a mile and a half, and he was a fine third before that in a race over this trip behind King’s Gambit. He’s off the same mark as at Ascot here, so is not thrown in, but he must have place claims at least.

Sun God has started out at the right end of the handicap and looks to be an improved model since stepping up in distance. He’s from a decent family of stayers that the trainer Hughie Morrison knows well. He can continue up the ladder with a big showing here at a huge each-way price.

The one I like here is Involvement. He’s already attracted a bit of support in the market and ran very, very well in his penultimate start, finishing second at Haydock. He then went to the Britannia at Royal Ascot and came 7th. That’s better than it sounds because it’s a 29-runner handicap and he had the worst of the draw there. I think he’s crying out for the step up in trip and slightly-softer ground.

I really like Involvement and he’s an each-way price too which is always a bonus! His run at Ascot behind Mickley was decent in the Britannia and Simon and Ed Crisford’s horses weren’t flying at the time. I’m willing to give him another chance. Oisin Murphy is a good jockey booking as well.

Royal Power is short enough for me so I’m with Sun God. He improved for stepping up to 10f and his run last time out at Newmarket was very good. He was only narrowly beaten and he can go one better than his second that day. Sean Bowen is on board and claiming 3lbs which is always a bonus.

MOUNTAIN BREEZE looked a bit of a monster for Charlie Appleby and William Buick in two wins at this course and went on to Royal Ascot to finish fourth behind Fairy Godmother in the Albany a place behind re-opposing Heavens Gate. There was no obvious excuse but I suspect the daughter of Lope de Vega still has much to show.

Heavens Gate was sent for home a long way down at the Royal meeting and kept on well despite being picked up late by two horses that were ridden from well off the pace. Ryan Moore gets back on board and I’m sure she will be ridden with that electric change of pace in mind.

I’m going to go with Heavens Gate. She did too much in front in the Albany Stakes, finishing third in the end. She set strong fractions all through the race before tiring in the final furlong. With Ryan Moore taking the saddle I think this race should set up nicely for her.

I can’t go against Heavens Gate. I thought she did really well in the circumstances in the Albany. She made a lot of the running and set the race up for the other Aidan O’Brien horse Fairy Godmother. It was a tough gig that day trying to make all so I marked her up a little bit for that. It’s an open race so she’s a decent price too.

I’ve landed on an Irish runner in Mighty Eriu for Gavin Cromwell. She ran well on her debut at the Curragh when finishing second and she followed that up with a second at Ascot last month over 5f. She’s got decent form and she steps back up to 6f here which should suit.

Many will think this is too short for ZOFFEE, but he did this punter a right turn when landing the Chester Cup, and he’s only 4lb higher here after a flop in the Plate at Newcastle, which I’m not fussed about as it was on artificial. Second in this race in 2022, he has a fine each-way chance.

Great Generation travelled really well down the hill at Lingfield when winning the Chartwell last time suggesting that the drop back down to 6f shouldn’t pose any problems. The Marco Botti yard are in decent form and she will be helped by the sprinkle of rain that the track has received.

Beamish might be worth a go at a double-digit price. He’s been beaten the last two times for Archie Watson but neither time was by too far. He’s a horse who wants a decent test of stamina so I’d prefer if the ground was still Soft but if this is run at a decent pace then Beamish is capable of springing a surprise.

This is a really competitive handicap and I can’t help but be sucked in by Fox Journey. The fact that Ryan Moore is sticking with him after being a bit disappointing behind Belloccio in the Copper Horse Handicap says it all. He was a good winner at Newmarket in May and I just feel there’s more to come.

PORTA FORTUNA is another to have done yours truly a right touch with her win at Royal Ascot in the Coronation, and while I’d love Tom Marquand on her, obviously Ryan Moore is not a bad rider! Donnacha O’Brien’s star gets 9lb from Running Lion, and that really should be too good for a horse that was also second in the 1000 Guineas and in the Breeders’ Cup. Tactically, she looks bombproof.

Switching back to slightly easier conditions looks to hold no fears for Porta Fortuna, who is a super consistent performer. She is well clear on official ratings and Ryan Moore comes in for another ride.

Porta Fortuna is clearly the one to beat. There’s a bit of doubt about her on this ground but if it comes Good on Friday that will be no issue for her. Connections are saying the faster the better.

I can’t get away from the favourite Porta Fortuna. She was a good winner at Royal Ascot and she was unlucky not to win the 1000 Guineas as well. The interesting runner in here is A Lilac Rolla for Paddy Twomey. If you’re after a forecast, I like Porta Fortuna/A Lilac Rolla.

It’s hard to see past Porta Fortuna with Ryan Moore on board. Hopefully the ground dries up a little bit for her but I can’t be with Running Lion and I would have A Lilac Rolla each way if there were eight runners so you’d get three places. Porta Fortuna went close in the 1000 Guineas before winning the Coronation at Ascot. She’s the one to beat.