the prophet

Lightly raced 6-year-old from the Mullins yard with Townsend in the saddle. Beaten just a length on his chasing debut during November. He won a beginners' chase by a wide margin last time out. He ran a Grade 1 hurdle at this meeting last year over this 2m trip, which should be a big positive for the selection in this Grade 1 novice chase.

Unexposed 6yo, four starts over hurdles, winning his last three starts. He looked good when winning on his handicap debut last time out. He travelled strongly, jumped well and finished quickly and smartly. More to come from this one. Top yard/jockey and will be fresh after a seven-week break.

Unexposed, 5yo, 3 wins from 4. He was a respectable fourth in a Grade 1 in December, on just his third career start, only weakening on the run-in. He took another step forward six weeks ago??"an impressive 6L winner of a Grade 2 hurdle contest. The 10-runner field was strung out, and the jockey only had to give him a little shake-up after jumping the last. Worth his place in this Grade 1 novice hurdle.

Three nice runs from the 9yo this campaign. A winner on his return in October. A respectable 5th at the festival last time out. Maybe best judged on his defeat in December in a high-quality handicap chase??"beaten by just a head. The third that day went on to win a big race at the festival. Same mark for this contest, but a much stronger jockey booking now.

Just two runs this campaign for the 6-year-old. Beaten just a length in a Grade 1 hurdle on his return in December. Not beaten far at the Festival last time out in a Grade 1. He was a Grade 1 winner at this track last year, showing his liking for a flatter track, and there's room for plenty more improvement.

A Willie Mullins-trained 9yo who could go well, sat at a big price. Lightly raced but consistent: first or second in 9 of 13 races over hurdles and fences. This time last year he was a close 3rd of 19 in a £98K Premier Handicap Chase at Sandown over 28f. The fifth that day was Grangeclare West, who is a short price for this race. The fourth that day is now rated 23 lb higher, and the winner has run some good races since. He has the ability, and hopefully this longer trip will suit him.

No fitness problems for the 5yo. Two wins from two in bumper races this year. Impressive winner last time out. He travelled strongly and pulled 11L clear in the final furlong when asked for his effort. It was a 15-runner contest and he was carrying a 7 lb penalty. Good RPR rating posted. This Grade 2 race is stronger, but he is progressing and more improvement is possible after twelve weeks off the track.

The Japanese player is on top of his game, making all eight cuts this year. He won the Masters in 2019 and has played well in the tournament every year since 2015, never missing the cut.

The 26-year-old Swede is on top of his game. He was 3rd, 5th, and 5th in his last three PGA Tour events, which include the quality Players Championship. He finished second in the 2024 Masters. No problem with the tricky course, and he will be keen to go one better.

The Brit youngster is having a good first season on the PGA Tour: 16th, 4th, and 21st in his last four comps. He showed great up-and-down skills when finishing 4th at the Valspar. That, along with a long drive, are two big attributes for this Augusta course. He shouldn’t have any nerves until the back nine on the final day.

The world No. 1 has been a little below par this season, but he has produced some very low final-round scores when out of contention. It looks to me like he’s been trying some new things and will be 100% focused now as we go into the first major tournament of the year.

Top player, winning the $10M FedEx Cup last August. Four top-ten finishes in five events this year. Finished 3rd in the Masters in 2024. Looks set for a big week.

The Japanese player is on top of his game, making all 8 cuts this year. He won the Masters in 2019 and has played well in the tournament every year since 2015, never missing the cut.

The 26-year-old Swede is on top of his game. He was 3rd, 5th, and 5th in his last three PGA Tour events, which include the quality Players Championship. He finished second in the 2024 Masters. No problem with the tricky course, and he will be keen to go one better.

The Brit youngster is having a good first season on the PGA Tour: 16th, 4th, and 21st in his last four comps. He showed great up-and-down skills when finishing 4th at the Valspar. That, along with a long drive, are two big attributes for this Augusta course. He shouldn’t have any nerves until the back nine on the final day.

The world No. 1 has been a little below par this season, but he has produced some very low final-round scores when out of contention. It looks to me like he’s been trying some new things and will be 100% focused now as we go into the first major tournament of the year.

Top player, winning the $10M FedEx Cup last August. Four top-ten finishes in five events this year. Finished 3rd in the Masters in 2024. Looks set for a big week.