the prophet

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.

Four runs for his current yard last year. Two average runs on the AW, but a big run over 6f on good ground last Sept, similar trip and conditions today. He was a close 3rd of 12 that day - not a great draw - the winner now rated 11lb higher with a rating of 88. A slightly lower mark for this 5yo today and he could be a player in this 0-75 handicap if ready after a winter break.

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.

Osasuna will be quietly confident going into this game. They have just two defeats in their last 10 league games. A.C. have lost four of their last five league games, and only three sides have scored fewer goals than them in the league this season.

Both sides on 34 points, both with the same win/loss/draw record. The home and away stats tell a different story. Valencia have just 12 points on the road, while Mallorca have picked up a healthy 28 points at home this season.