the prophet

Unexposed, a 5yo trained by Gordon Elliott. Two hurdle runs. He won a 21-runner maiden race by 9 lengths on his debut in December. He was beaten by just a short head in a Grade 1 five weeks ago by the smart Talk The Talk, earning a high rating. More to come from this one. He’s the pick of top jockey Jack Kennedy, and this ex-PTP could improve plenty for the step up in trip.

Just three starts over fences for the 6yo, form 221. Improvement with each run. A narrow Grade 2 defeat in November. An impressive 21L win last time out ??" only a beginners' chase, but he had a couple of decent 140-rated runners behind that day. He made the running, travelled strongly, jumped well, and sprinted through the line. His profile does suggest he can take another step forward, and a ten-week break should benefit him. Only two rivals have posted slightly higher RPR ratings.

Unexposed, 7yo. Just six starts over hurdles. He was a good 4th of 11 in a Grade 1 over this 21f C/D at the festival last year. He never landed a blow but stayed on nicely at the finish in what was a very strong contest. Beaten just 2L in a maiden hurdle seven weeks ago and seems in decent shape. Now running in a handicap off a handy-looking mark.

A liking for this 29.5f cross-country course is a big positive for this 10-year-old. He was a course-and-distance winner in December, a shade cosy by 4 lengths. He was only 5th of 16 over the course-and-distance in January, but it was very slow ground that day and he only lost out on the run-in. He has better ground now, should be fresh after a seven-week break, and there is a good apprentice in the saddle claiming 3 lb.

The 8-year-old is a nice price. Something was amiss last time out, but he’s had an eight-week break to recover from that run. He had won his last five races over fences, four of them at Grade 1 level, with plenty to spare in each win. His RPR ratings are standout. The short-priced favourite for this Grade 1 Champion Chase may have been flattered by his winning margin last time out.

The 11-year-old is worth a speculative punt in this handicap chase. Three runs this winter; 3rd last time out. He never landed a blow, but it was a very fast, high-quality affair, and he could have been saving something for this contest. In his last campaign he was only beaten a length in a Grade 2 chase over this 2m trip on the Old Course at this track, splitting two runners who were rated 170 and 164 at the time. His new low handicap mark of 145 does look attractive.

The Irish raider has run well previously over this 16f C/D. He was 5th of 20 in this race last year, not helping himself by hitting 2 out. He was a runner-up over this C/D during October in a useful £52K handicap, losing out on the run-in to a smart, progressive type who is now rated 11 lb higher. The selection is only a 7-year-old and still has time to move up the chasing ladder.

The 5-year-old has 2 wins from 2 in bumper NHF races, both on heavy ground. He won a useful €52k contest five weeks ago, earning a high rating. His dam was smart and preferred better ground. The booking of Sean Bowen for the ride is a big positive in this Champion Bumper race.

The 6-year-old mare is 2 wins from 2 over hurdles. He beat his main rival, ‘Bambino’, during December on his debut and can do so again in this Grade 2 contest. He was an easy 9L Grade 3 winner five weeks ago and had a very useful Mullins yardstick in second that day.

Just three starts over fences for the Gordon Elliott-trained 8yo, form 232. Only losing out late in his last race but 20L clear of the rest. The winner has since won a Grade 1 and is rated 158. The well-beaten 3rd and 4th have both run well since and earned decent ratings. An opening handicap mark of 142 for the selection is attractive, and he’ll be fresh after a ten-week break.

Not a lot between the two market leaders on the ratings for this Grade 1 mares' hurdle race. The Mullins runner could be the value. She has five wins from seven over hurdles, progressive form, and she was an impressive 18-length Grade 2 winner seven weeks ago. Another step forward puts her firmly in the mix.

The 7-year-old could be underestimated. He has 5 wins from 9 hurdles and is just reaching his peak. He loves this course. His 7-length win over the smart Impose over this C/D seven weeks ago was impressive. A little to find on the ratings, but age is on his side, and he is on an upward curve.

Lightly raced 6-year-old, three wins from six over hurdles. Looking progressive, winning two from three this winter. The front two were well clear last time out, and the runner-up has boosted the form since. He's had a nice three-month break, saving a decent-looking mark for this handicap.

Not too many miles on the clock for the 8yo, and he produced a career best when beaten by just a length in a quality 23-runner £78K handicap five weeks ago. No reason why he can’t improve after that run. Just one previous run at this track ??" a very close 2nd of 21 over hurdles at the Festival in ’24.