the prophet

Uruguay haven't been in great form, but the South American side should have too much quality against the low-ranked Saudi side. Although it won't be all one-sided, the Saudis could sneak a goal.

The 6-year-old should not be underestimated in this Group 1 contest. He won the race last year having run 10 days previously. He now returns after a seven-week break, after going very close in the £1.2m Champions Mile in Japan. I like the fact that he has run eight times over this 8f course/distance, with three wins. His biggest defeat over this course/distance was around 2 lengths, but he still finished 2nd of 13 that day, which was in this race as a 4-year-old. He shouldn't be far away.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained 2yo has 2 wins from 2. He was a nice Group 3 winner three weeks ago, earning a high RPR rating. He ran green that day and was still learning on the job. He can take another step forward. A line through the fourth that day does suggest he can be better than the current favourite, Confucius, and the selection is much better value in this Group 2 contest. Breeding does suggest he could be better on this quicker ground.

The 4yo has a progressive profile. He has the highest rating in this contest, loves the quicker ground, and could be overpriced in this Group 1 sprint. Two big fast-ground Group 1 runs last year and he posted high RPR ratings. Beaten by just a neck in a 14-runner contest last summer, then winning a 17-runner contest last autumn??"a shade cosy. A return run five weeks ago should put him right.

Gstaad was 2nd of 14 in the 2000 Guineas in early May, behind Bow Echo, whom he meets again in this Group 1 contest. However, they were both returning from a winter break for that run. The selection has since won the Irish 2000 Guineas by 3L, which could suggest that the Irish raider was maybe not fully ready on his return. The O'Brien-trained contender can turn the tables in this contest.

A big run from the 5yo mare on her return to the flat five weeks ago, beaten just a length in the quality 15-runner, £88K Chester Cup over 18.5f. She stayed on strongly at the finish, and this extra 1.5f should suit her. It was a rare run on good ground after four heavy-ground jump runs over the winter/spring (a win and two runner-up finishes over the jumps). This is her first run over good-to-firm ground, and it could prove beneficial to her in this handicap.

A progressive profile from the 4yo. He improved again at the start of this year in Meydan: 2 wins from 5, 2 narrow defeats, and a huge run when last seen. Beaten 3L in the Group 1 £2.1 million turf race won by the 128-rated star Ombudsman. He would have finished much closer but got stuck in a pocket on the rail 2f out. I like the fact that those rivals would have been fully tuned up for a big run. Another positive is that he ran a big race at this Royal Meeting last year. He looks overpriced now running in a Listed contest.

Lightly raced 5yo mare. Two runs this year, going close on the AW on her return. She was then a close 3rd of 9 in a Listed contest on turf seven weeks ago, 5L clear of the rest. The runner-up that day has since run well in a Group 3 contest. No problem with the quicker ground, good jockey booking and she might be better than her current 94 handicap rating.

The 2yo filly was an impressive 10L winner on her debut four weeks ago, posting a big RPR rating and could go well in this Group 2 contest. The runner-up did have a previous run to her name, in which she went very close in a good-quality contest. It is very possible that the form stands up, and the selection could be well above the average type.

The 3yo colt has 2 wins from 2. He looked good on his turf debut last time out when winning a useful-looking novice stakes by 2L in a good time. He had some work to do 3f out but there was plenty to like in how he kept finding and won a shade cosily in the end. This longer trip and fast ground should be ideal, and he's had a nice seven-week break. The well-backed favourite that day was beaten 12L into third. The runner-up was regarded enough to run in the Derby on his next start.

The 4yo filly looks overpriced in this Group 2 contest. She went close in a couple of Group 1 races last year and then went very close at the Breeders' Cup later in the year on fast ground. She was a good 2nd of 10 in a fast-ground Group 2 contest six weeks ago and she had pulled a huge 10L clear of the rest. She has the second-highest OR rating in the race.

The 5-year-old has 8 wins from 11, was runner-up three times, and is rated a huge 128. He won this race by 2L last year after encountering plenty of traffic problems. He's won two Group 1 races since. Back-to-back wins this year show he is in good shape. The fast ground is a big positive for him.

The 4yo was an impressive winner on his return in April, after five months off the track, winning a useful 24-runner handicap a shade cosy. The runner-up has boosted the form since. He made the running that day and had all his rivals pushing a long way from home. The jockey never had to get too serious in the late stages. He looked to have plenty left in reserve. He's been kept fresh for this handicap with a two-month break. No problem with the quick ground, and a 3 lb higher mark might not stop him.

The 5-year-old mare progressed nicely last year. She was a Group 3 winner at this track last summer and followed that with a good run in America against some quality graded rivals. She hasn't fired in her two runs this year; slow ground didn't help last time out. If she recaptures her best form, she has every chance off her current handicap mark.

The 2yo colt, trained by Irish trainer Joe O'Brien, was a good winner in March and could be a lot more forward than most of these runners. The runner-up that day has boosted the form and has some Group 2 entries coming up. The well-beaten third and fourth from that race have both posted good RPR ratings since. He's been given a nice three-month break to strengthen up further, and he's not out of place in this Listed contest.