the prophet

Kaiserslautern have been poor in their last three league games, but they have been decent at home, winning 10 of 16. Bielefeld have been picking up points recently, but they are still near the bottom and have just 3 away wins from 16.

Just 1 point from their last three league games, but Paderborn have been beaten by the top two sides and they're only a point off automatic promotion. I expect them to bounce back tonight. Only one other side has conceded more goals than Karlsruher.

Dortmund lost just two of their first 28 league games. They are safely in the Champions League next season, but with little to play for, they have now lost three of their last four league games and the desire now seems missing. Frankfurt have picked up points in 21 games this season. They have been one of the better-scoring sides, and with still a chance of European football next season they should be giving all tonight.

Palermo are safely in the promotion playoff, they might rest players and take things easy in this final league game. Venezia will be champions with a win.

Lens need to win their remaining three league games to still hold a chance of winning the title. They should be a safe bet tonight against second-bottom Nantes, who were relegated last week despite winning. They might not put up much of a fight tonight.

Torino are now safe from the drop and, after picking up just 2 points from their last three league games, they might be thinking about their summer hols. Sassuolo are safe in midtable but are still playing with plenty of spirit ??" 7 points from their last three league games ??" and they've beaten a couple of top-six sides in the process.

The 5yo was an easy 2L winner on the AW three weeks ago, after coming off a seven-month break, earning a high RPR rating. It was not a great start that day and he raced wide early but had his rivals pushing a long way from home after taking up the running. It was pleasing, as it was just his second AW run and would have been a prep for his return to grass. He was progressive last year with three wins, has no problem on good/firm ground, and he can continue the upward curve.

The 7-year-old went chasing in his last campaign but should have no problem back over hurdles for this handicap. He was first or second in 6 of 10 hurdle runs. He looks to have improved since his last hurdle run, with back-to-back chase wins last October, earning a nice 145 rating and now runs off a 7 lb lower hurdle mark for this contest. There were solid excuses in a couple of Grade 1 chase runs this winter. Good jockey booking, and he could be overpriced.

The 5yo has three wins over hurdles. He's a previous C/D winner and was only beaten 6L at the Cheltenham Festival in a 23-runner Grade 3 handicap. He’s on a slightly lower mark now. His last run on good ground resulted in a win last autumn. He'll be fresh after a two-month break. He ticks all the right boxes.

The quick ground might not suit the O'Brien runners in this Listed contest. The Charlie Appleby-trained 3yo filly has 2 wins from 2, good ratings, William Buick in the saddle, and is going the right way.

The 5-year-old mare joined this yard last summer and had two wins and a very narrow defeat for them in '25. She has three high RPR ratings and two of those runs on decent turf ground. Back from a six-month break with a solid run during March??"sixth of 11 in an AW Listed race??"she was in the mix but outpaced late on. She wasn't far behind a couple of 112+ rated runners. This should set her up for this turf handicap. Good jockey booking and she runs off a handy-looking 87 mark.

The Ralph Beckett-trained 3yo could be the value in this Listed contest. He had 2 wins from 3 last year, earning a nice 97 rating. He has English and Irish Derby entries, and you could expect some improvement from his winter break. Trainers Appleby and O’Brien both have a runner in the race, but I don't think they are high in the pecking order at their yards.

The 8yo is a previous 7f C/D winner and should be sharper after a return run three weeks ago, coming off a six-month break. He ran some decent races in defeat in the first half of last year. The form backed up with four 97+ RPR ratings. Capable apprentice in the saddle ??" 8 winners and a 13% strike rate for this yard. With his claim, he's effectively running off a huge 23 lb lower mark than his return run last spring. Could be worth an EW shout.

The 5yo mare made steady progress as a 3yo and 4yo. Back from a seven-month break, she took another big step forward three weeks ago, winning an 18-runner handicap by 3L. She came from the rear, hit the front 0.5f out, and sprinted clear, earning a high rating. She can build on that run and is worth her place in this Group 3. Top jockey on board, and I'm not sure about most of these rivals on this quick ground.

Just six runs for the 4yo last year, and better things were expected. He won a strong maiden race over this 12f trip on his third career start. His next two runs were in the Derby and a Group 2 contest at Royal Ascot ??" not showing much. He did finish off with a cosy 2L handicap win when last seen. High rating posted. Chances that he needed another winter on his back before he shows his true potential. Still on a decent handicap mark.

A big run from the 4yo during April after coming off a five-month break, finishing a close 4th of 24 in a very competitive Class 2 handicap. Something to build on, and he is on the same mark for this Class 3 handicap, which is a much lower-calibre affair.