the prophet

The 5yo mare is in good shape. Two narrow defeats in her three starts this year. A close 2nd of 7 over this 12f trip three weeks ago, splitting two rivals who have both run well since. She has not raced on quick ground so far, but her two best RPR ratings have come on good ground. This firmer ground could bring about some more improvement.

Unexposed 3yo filly. Four career runs, three on turf, but her best effort came in a novice stakes on the polytrack earlier in April, beaten by just a neck. The 1st, 3rd and 4th from that race have all run to a decent level since. Good low draw and every chance off her current handicap mark.

The 5yo didn't fire in his four runs last year, but he found his form with a nice win four weeks ago in an apprentice handicap. The same jockey rides in this handicap, and he can now claim 5 lb. He showed nice form as a 3yo while racing off a 19 lb higher mark, and he could be well in at the weights tonight.

Just five career runs from the 3yo, finding his form in his last two starts: a short-head defeat followed by a win four weeks ago. His last win looks solid form for this level, only a 2 lb higher mark for this handicap, and he looks to be an improver.

Just four career runs for the 3yo filly. A fair effort on her handicap debut three weeks ago in a 13-runner Class 5 turf handicap. She was front-ranked all the way, travelled well, but was outpaced in the late stages. She should be better for the run. A 3 lb lower mark now, strong jockey booking, and she's dropping into a weak-looking Class 6 contest.

Lightly raced 3yo filly and worth an each-way punt. A progressive profile, with back-to-back AW wins earlier in the year. A winning return to turf early last month, seeing the 5f trip out well when winning that 14-runner handicap. Proven on slow ground??"unlike plenty of these rivals. Good jockey booking. Drawn in stall 1 for this 5f dash, and if there is any track bias she could be well placed to take advantage.

The 2yo colt posted a good rating when winning a decent £13K novice stakes on his debut two weeks ago. The trainer is having a great year. He's had eight 2yo turf winners this year for a 21% strike, and you would expect this one to be one of his better types as he goes for this £38K conditions race prize. French-bred and should fine with the rain that is falling.

Two runs this year for the 4yo, continuing the good form from last year. A neck defeat in a French Group 2 on his return was followed by an easy 2L Listed win. Good ratings were posted. He was a Group 3 winner last summer and should be in the mix for this Group 3 contest. No problem with the slower ground, and Oisin Murphy now takes over in the saddle.

Just four runs last year, posting a win and a neck defeat in two good handicap races, and posting two useful 103 RPR ratings. A return to that form with his current 97 OR rating should put him in the mix. Beaten under a length two weeks ago and is in good shape. He last ran on slow ground in his final two starts as a 5yo, running two big races which should be a positive going into this handicap.

Four career runs for the Irish-trained runner, form 42-21. Looking good when winning a Group 3 contest by 3L six weeks ago, smoothly pulling clear when asked to quicken, and he can improve again over this longer trip. No problem with the slow ground, and he looks the each-way value in this Group 1 Oaks.

The 4yo was progressive last year. He was 5th of 15 three weeks ago in a strong handicap and was a little unlucky??"squeezed for room approaching the final furlong, and the jockey had to stop riding. He did pick up again late on. Same mark for this handicap, and worth another chance. Only one previous run on slow ground, which resulted in a win last August, and he posted a career-high RPR rating at the time.

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.