the prophet

Consistent 5yo: first, second, or third in 11 of 15 hurdle runs. Below par in his last two runs, but a two-month break should see him freshened up for this 0-120 rated handicap. He finished second and third in two races towards the end of last season, effectively 11 lb better off now with a good apprentice in the saddle. He was 2nd of 13 last October behind a runner who ran a big race at the festival off a 135 rating.

Just two career runs for the 3yo filly. She was a close 2nd of 12 on her debut in February. She was then a nice 2L maiden winner last month. The front two were well clear of the rest, the runner-up being a decent yardstick who has boosted the form since. An opening handicap mark of 70 for the selection could be lenient.

Excuses at Newcastle last week for the 4yo filly, but she has run two big races over this 7f C/D this year. She won over the C/D in January, and last month she was beaten by just 1/2L in a Class 2 handicap over this C/D. Same mark for this Class 4 handicap, now helped by a good low draw and a good apprentice claiming 5 lb in the saddle.

Unexposed 3yo, form 421. Runner-up on his second start to a useful-looking John Gosden-trained runner. He made all last time in an £18K novice stakes. The runner-up has boosted the form. His opening handicap of 82 looks tempting, and he’s also helped by a very good 5 lb claiming apprentice. He might be hard to peg back in this sprint.

The 6-year-old mare has six wins on the AW and she has progressed again in the last six months. Back-to-back wins at the end of last year. Only beaten 1/2 length at Wolverhampton four weeks ago. She's best judged on her last Polytrack run when beaten just 2 lengths over this 2m trip during December, beaten by two 84-rated runners. She's much better off at the weights now, with a good apprentice booked for this 0-80 contest.

The 4yo filly has 3 wins from 7 and room for more improvement. Not beaten far in her last two races, both runs in good-quality Listed contests. She did not have the smoothest passage in either race. She is a previous winner on this Tapeta surface. A 16-week break will leave her fresh and hopefully stronger for this £77K handicap, and she has every chance off her current mark. The fav looks high in the weights.

Things have not really gone to plan in his two runs this year, but he’s had a nice seven-week break, a slight drop in grade for this handicap, and is weighted to go well. The 4yo is a previous C/D winner and went very close in his final two starts last year, posting good RPR figures. He has a good low draw for this sprint, and I expect him to go forward early.

Just eight career runs from the 4yo. Three runs this winter after a seven-month break, form 121. Good-quality races, three high RPR ratings posted. He looked good when winning a high-quality handicap four weeks ago by over a length. It was made more impressive as he went hard early from a very wide draw and was wide into the first turn, but he still managed to find a smart change of gear in the final furlong. More to come from this one. Top yard and Oisin Murphy in the saddle.

The 6yo is useful on his day and is on a winnable mark. Back from a break last month with a big run, which sets him up for a shot at a nice £33K first prize. He was a good runner-up that day, losing out in the last 100 yards, and this shorter trip could be the answer. A few runners behind were rated higher than the rivals he now faces.

The 6yo was a close 3rd of 14 in this £77K handicap last year, and a 5 lb lower mark should give him a chance this time around. Only four runs since, but he’s in great shape and was beaten by less than a length in a quality Listed race four weeks ago.

The 6-year-old mare has been in decent form this year without winning. A good 5 lb claiming apprentice takes over in the saddle, and he rode three big races on the selection last Oct??"Nov, with a win and two very narrow defeats. Her last run at the track was in January, beaten just 2L in a quality £58K handicap, by two runners rated 99 and 101. She might need some luck from this wide draw, but she’s effectively 8 lb better off now in this 0??"90 handicap.

Just seven career runs for the 5yo. His first six runs were at this track: form 131322. This race looks like a long-term plan for the selection. Not disgraced in his last two defeats here ??" only beaten by a head in his last run by a runner who has since won a Listed contest and is rated 12 lb higher now. He'll be fresh and fully tuned up for this £90K handicap, and he has Jamie Spencer taking over from an apprentice in the saddle.