the prophet

The 5-year-old should be better for his return run four weeks ago. He has the second-highest rating in the race. Only beaten a length last September in a strong-looking 12-runner French Group 1 contest. Suited by the slow ground and should go well in this Group 3 contest. The favourite, Never So Brave, might be more suited to a quicker surface.

Just five career runs for the 3yo filly. Unexposed and looks set for a big run in this Group 3 contest after a fair run three weeks ago on her return. She was a close runner-up in a Group 2 last Sept and followed that with a big run at the Breeders' Cup. Trip and ground conditions are ideal.

Hard not to fancy the French-trained 5yo in this Group 1 contest. He was a very close runner-up in this 12f contest last year, 7L clear of the rest, and has since won five Group 1s in a row. He won the £2.5m Sheema Classic in March, quite easily, and comes here fresh after a ten-week break. His last nine RPR ratings have been between 123??"131. His main rival has only posted one RPR rating above 121.

The 4yo finished off last year with two big runs and returned with another fine effort five weeks ago. Same mark for this 5f dash and he could take a step forward. He was 2nd of 11 in that return run, with the winner having the benefit of a recent run going into the race. The selection wasn't given a hard time in the final 0.5f when not catching the winner, but he easily had the measure of some high-rated runners. He meets that winner again in this handicap, but he can reverse those placings on 9 lb better terms now.

Progressive and still not fully exposed. Three wins from three. Impressive winner three weeks ago in the Group 2 Dante Stakes over 10f. He travelled the best and was well on top at the line, suggesting this 12f trip will bring more improvement. It was a strong-looking field that he beat that day. The O'Brien runner is the current favorite, but he didn't beat much last time out.

The 3yo was only beaten 2L on his return five weeks ago in a very strong conditions race, by a runner who has since run well at Group 1 level. He should be better for the run. Oisin Murphy is in the saddle. A handy-looking opening 93 handicap mark, and he could easily be a class above these rivals.