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It's Frantic Friday – but O'Brien is out to keep calm and carry on

David Baxter on a cracking day's racing at home and abroad

The July course: Falmouth Stakes is Friday's highlight
The July course: Falmouth Stakes is Friday's highlightCredit: Edward Whitaker

If Saturday is billed as racing's Super Saturday, then get ready for Frenzied Friday.

Six turf meetings in Britain plus one Flat and one jumps card in Ireland means there's plenty of rides to go round and the chance to forge new partnerships or serve notice of ability with ITV's cameras trained on Newmarket and York.

However, if the betting is to be believed it will be business as usual, with Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore teaming up for the favourites in the Falmouth and the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket.

The bet365-backed Duchess of Cambridge, or Cherry Hinton for those with slightly longer memories, is not a race O'Brien has targeted too often in recent seasons, but he sent out the winner last year in Roly Poly, and the market expects Clemmie to give him another success.

Churchill's sister has progressed with each start and gained her first victory last time out in a Group 3 at the Curragh. Leading the opposition is Queen Mary third Out Of The Flames and Chesham runner-up Nyaleti, with both bringing Royal Ascot form to the table.

Until last year, the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes was a contest missing from O'Brien's list of major races, but Alice Springs ensured that gap was filled, and he bids for a second straight win with Roly Poly.

A fine second to stablemate Winter in the Coronation Stakes, she will be flying the Coolmore flag alone, while Godolphin have two chances.

Arabian Hope, who will be partnered by Josephine Gordon, is unbeaten in three starts this year but takes a steep rise in class, while Wuheida is fascinating on her return.

Last season's Prix Marcel Boussac winner has not been sighted since October after suffering a stress fracture, but has been nursed back by Charlie Appleby and his team and is now ready to kick off.

Throw in French 1,000 Guineas runner-up Sea Of Grace, and the Falmouth looks to have all the ingredients for a great Group 1.

German ambitions at York

Sea Of Grace's trainer William Haggas is not alone in his appreciation of the Knavesmire, and will have the chance to lock horns with German counterpart Dominik Moser.

The pair are both represented in Friday's highlight at the track, the Group 3 Unibet Summer Stakes, a race Moser claimed in 2012 with Gracia Directa.

She was then runner-up 12 months later, and Moser has two chances at bagging the prize again.

Artistica is unbeaten in three starts this season, including on a foray to Nottingham for the Listed Kilvington Stakes, while Sugar Free was last seen finishing sixth in the Cecil Frail at Haydock.

Moser has described York as "my favourite racetrack in Europe", but he faces stiff competition from proud Yorkshireman Haggas, who loves having winners at the track and has three chances in the race.

It's a storming Bastille Day

If the afternoon did not offer enough to sate the racing fan's appetite, then worry not, as Bastille Day in France means the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris takes centre stage in the evening.

The Group 1, staged at Saint-Cloud while Longchamp's renovation continues, could offer the chance for O'Brien's day to finish with a bang, as he sends over a trio of contenders, led by Hampton Court runner-up Orderofthegarter.

However, the prize often stays at home, with only O'Brien able to make off with it in the last nine years, when Imperial Monarch won in 2012.

King Edward VII winner Permian tries his luck for Mark Johnston, but will need to get past Ice Breeze, according to bookmakers, with Pascal Bary's colt leading the betting.

The Group 2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil is also on Saint-Cloud's bill, and offers Hughie Morrison the chance to scoop more euros.

Marmelo is no stranger to trips across the Channel, taking a Group 3 at Chantilly in April, while Sagaro Stakes winner Sweet Selection is making her first trip abroad.

Whatever your personal preference, Friday's feast of action, followed swiftly by Saturday's banquet, should hit the spot.

Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes, card, form and betting

Duchess of Cambridge Stakes, card, form and betting

Unibet Summer Stakes, card, form and betting

Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris, card and form

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