the prophet

Two smart looking types head the market for this Listed contest. Both ran big return runs two weeks ago, narrow defeats for both. The selection earning a 109 rating after a Listed run, his rivals rated 95 after a novice run. The Gosden trained runner has quite a bit to find on the ratings.

Solid Group form from the 5yo last year. Fitness should be fine after a big run during Feb, a very narrow defeat overseas that day in a strong £1.1m contest, while giving away plenty of weight. The step up to 16f for this Group 3 contest looks ideal, and he receives a nice pull in the weights from two main rivals.

The 3yo progressed on the AW over the winner. A narrow defeat was followed by back-to-back wins. He took another step forward five weeks ago after coming off a three-month break, finishing 3rd of 9 in a strong AW conditions race. The field was quite strung out behind, and he earned a big RPR rating. On a decent-looking handicap mark if he transfers that form to turf.

Three of these runners met in a Group 1 last autumn. There was little between them when they finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd. This O'Brien runner went on to run a big race at the Breeders' Cup. The trainer of Coppull has yet to get going on Tuft this season, and Wise Approach is now giving weight away. The selection was very consistent last year and should be fine on his return.

This 5yo mare has the profile to land this Group 2 contest. She improved in the second half last year, winning a Doncater Group 2 during Sept and followed that with a 2nd of 13 in a French Group 1. A 12f trip on quick suits her. She's coming off a winter break but she did win back-to-back races on her return the previous spring. I think there are question marks against all her six rivals.

Lightly raced 4yo. Progressive last year, winning three times, including on his final start??"a 2L win over this 7f C/D in a useful-looking 13-runner handicap. A nice return run three weeks ago, beaten just a length in a strong conditions race, racing on the far side up the straight while the leaders raced up the middle, eased in the last 50 yards. He has top weight in this handicap, but he has that run under his belt and his quality can win the day.

Lightly raced 9-year-old who could go well in this hunter chase. He was previously trained by Willie Mullins, joining this yard last autumn. Useful and rated 140+. He was beaten by just a neck in a hunter chase early last month, clear of the rest, earning a big RPR rating. Going off his two PTP wins earlier this year, this step up to 24.5f should be ideal.

A six-month break and a new yard did the 4yo no harm three weeks ago when beaten under a length on the AW, setting him up nicely for his return to turf today. No problem with a big field or the fast ground. He was rated much higher last year.

Unexposed 3yo filly, 1 win from 3. Solid return run two weeks ago, beaten 2L in a 14-runner Group 3 contest. Racing against the near rail was not in her favour that day, as the main action came away from the rail. Something to build on, and now dropping into a Listed contest.

The 4yo was progressive last year and looks even better this year. A big win over this 6f C/D on his return just over two weeks ago, winning a similar 13-runner Class 2 handicap by a very cosy 5L. A 5 lb higher mark for this handicap, but his RPR rating posted that day does suggest he has plenty of room to spare at the weights.

The 4yo filly has six career runs. In her four runs on quick turf she has three wins and a second. That second came in a 9-runner Group 1 contest last October on her last start, and she was 4L clear of the rest. Her main rival has been off the track for 11 months. The selection won't need to be 100% ready to land this Listed contest.

Two return runs for the 4yo should have him much sharper for this handicap. He ran well in the first half of last year. He was 2nd 18 last July in a similar £50K handicap, beaten by just a neck and well clear of the rest ??" coming from the rear. A few in this like to make the running, which could set it up nicely for the selection.

Consistent and unexposed 4yo, 3 wins from 7 starts and runner-up twice. Back from a five-month break, and he was a very close 3rd of 13 in a £30K AW handicap six weeks ago. High rating, and it should set him up nicely for this turf handicap. He was a smart 2L+ winner of a 12-runner novice stakes last summer on fast turf ground, earning a high RPR rating. He ticks the boxes, and this race would have been the plan.

The 3yo was progressive last year, winning a Group 3 on his final start over this 5f trip, beating the smart 110-rated Brussels that day. Not disgraced in a Group 3 on his return during April against older runners, over 6f and beaten 3L in the end. Top trainer Charlie Appleby must have seen something and is happy to try him again in a Group 3 against older runners, making use of his 9 lb age allowance and dropping down to 5f. He should be sharper after the return run.

He has 2 wins from 4 starts, with any amount of improvement possible after seven months off the track. He was a good 3rd of 9 on his final start last year in a strong Group 1 at this track over 7f. He maybe didn't have the best track position but saw the race out well. Top trainer, top jockey, and could go well in the 2000 Guineas.