the prophet

Palace looked more together in the weekend win away at Brighton, and the win could have been bigger than 1-0. They will be feeling good going into this game. Hard to say anything positive about second-bottom Burnley, who now have the worst defence in the league. Home win.

Sunderland are unbeaten at home this season. Liverpool have failed to win in 8 of 12 away games, and they had a very hard game mentally on Sunday with Man City. Draw.

Unexposed is a 3yo with five career runs. He was third in a much stronger handicap last time and comes here fresh after an eight-week break. His best run was his handicap debut two starts back, which was on this polytrack surface, beaten by just a neck, and the form seems fine. A good low draw for this sprint and the jockey's 7 lb claim should improve his chances.

Unexposed, 6-year-old. Just two starts over fences: a win and a second. His win did come on slow ground. The form of both races has been boosted since. Strong jockey in the saddle and still on a decent mark. Top weight in this low-grade handicap, but there's room for more improvement. He will be fresh after a six-week break and might have too much class for these rivals.

The 7yo is less exposed than most of his rivals. Three runs this winter after an eight-month break. Excuses on his chase debut last time out, and he is back over hurdles now. Only beaten by a neck on his return in October in a decent Class 2 handicap. On a handy mark, he’s a previous C/D winner, with a strong jockey booking, and he ran a few nice races on testing ground earlier in his career. He ticks plenty of boxes going into this Class 3 handicap.

The 4yo filly has been busy this winter, but she’s found a bit of form, going close in her last two starts. Her two jockeys for those rides were amateurs who had yet to ride a winner under rules. Dropping into a 0-50 contest and now ridden by a professional should count for something.

The trainer has been patient with the unexposed 4yo. Two career runs, last winter: first and second. He couldn’t match a smart 87-rated winner in a novice stakes when last seen, but he did carry a penalty that day and was 7L clear of the rest. A year off the track could see some improvement. A mark of 77 seems fair for his handicap debut, and he’s helped by a good 5 lb claiming apprentice who has a 16% strike rate for this yard.

Just nine career runs for the 4yo filly. Below par in her last four races for whatever reason, but a six-week break, a strong jockey booking, and running in much calmer waters could see her in a better light. A return to her best form would make her a standout in this company.

The 6-year-old looks to be improving with age. Solid previous form at this track and is a previous 14f C/D winner. He posted a career-high RPR rating four weeks ago over this C/D, beaten by just a short head but 4L clear of the rest. He’s effectively 2 lb better off now with a good claiming apprentice taking the ride. He was returning from a nine-month break for that last run and could take another step forward.

The 4yo has 1 win from 7 on the AW, some near misses, and his win did come at this track. He was a good runner-up three weeks ago after the handicapper had given him a chance, and the 1st and 4th in the race were 80+ rated runners. He’s worth another chance in this 0-75 rated handicap.

Brentford will be feeling better after back-to-back away wins and are now seventh in the league. They have been one of the better home sides this season, with 24 points from 12 games, and can get something from this game. Draw.