the prophet

A few 2yo runners are making their debut in this novice stakes. Only one rival cost more, and those with previous race experience look poor. The small trainer knows how to get one ready, and he has decent stats with his 2yo runners. The booking of Callum Rodriguez for the ride looks positive; he has a big 17% career strike rate, 19% this year, and is a trusted jockey for this yard, with 2 wins and a second from five rides for this yard.

This 3yo is the most unexposed runner in this handicap after just two starts. He won a 15-runner maiden race on his debut last Aug by 1.5L and should be fine for this contest after an eight-month break. He was outpaced late on in a novice stakes on his second start, not given a hard time, and he was carrying a 7 lb penalty. The winner from that last race has since earned a 103 rating. There should be more to come from this one, and an 82 opening handicap looks fair.

Just one win from seven on turf for the 4yo, but he’s been a runner-up three times. He posted three high RPR ratings last summer while racing in good-quality handicap races. A decent return run on the AW last month should set him up nicely for this handicap. He has top weight, but this race doesn’t look strong, and I feel he’s the standout runner.

The 4yo struggled off a high mark last summer, but he was a good third in two races last autumn, beaten by four runners rated 77, 83, 86 and 88. He has a 4 lb lower mark now in this 0??"75 rated handicap, and an AW run during Feb would have done his fitness no harm.

Not too many miles on the clock for this 11-year-old. Three AW runs this year should see him in good shape. He was only beaten 4 lengths last October on turf over 16f against rivals mostly rated around the 70 mark. This 21.5f flat marathon handicap would have been his target. He's 14 lb lower than that October run and has no rival rated above 59.

This 4yo has 2 wins from 10 on turf and a few narrow defeats. He ran a nice race two weeks ago after returning from a seven-month break. He was a clear last of 13 runners after halfway. He had to come on the outside of all the runners to challenge and was only beaten 2L in the end. He should be better for the run. A strong jockey booking and being drawn in stall 1 for this 5f sprint is ideal if he breaks well.