the prophet

Two solid return runs from the 4yo filly, and her fitness should be spot on now. She's twice a previous C/D winner on good/firm ground. On a handy mark, and she has a good jockey booking. She was beaten 2L when last seen. The four runners that beat her were rated 73+. Five of her seven rivals in this handicap are rated 60 or lower.

The 6-year-old won a shade cosily last month after coming off a six-month break and can build on that run. Good career stats over this 5f C/D and is suited by the fast ground. Higher mark today but still looks nicely treated at the weights going off his form from last year.

The 4yo has 2 wins from 7 on turf and can have more to offer this year. Two return runs and he was an unlucky third last month. He was stuck in a pocket on the rail when the pace lifted, and it took some time before he could switch and find daylight, but he hit the line strong. Worth another chance. Jockey in fine form, 8 winners and a 32% strike rate in the last two weeks.

Just four runs over hurdles for the 5yo mare. She was 4th on her handicap debut three weeks ago after a six-month break and should be better for the run. She was a decent 3rd in a maiden and novice hurdle last autumn and she has ability. Good jockey and plenty of room for more improvement.

The 8yo has been good for connections, first or second in 22 races. Decent run two weeks ago over an unsuitable trip, and it should set him up for this handicap. He was twice a winner last year over this 8f C/D, off a 5 lb and a 7 lb higher mark. Loves the quick ground. This handicap doesn't look strong.

Three career runs for the 3yo filly. She was 5th over this 10f trip on fast ground two weeks ago, and I feel she was better than the official distance beaten ??" just hands and heels in the final furlong when her chance had gone. It was a strongly run novice stakes, and she kept tabs on the front-running winner for a long way. The winner was given a 96 rating. The selection is making her handicap debut on an attractive 54 mark.

Just four career runs for the 3yo. Beaten by just a length at the start of the month on his handicap/Tuft debut. He travelled strongly and looked like he had the race won when hitting the front a furlong out but got a little unbalanced in the final 0.5f. The trainer is happy to send him back onto the AW, and he is worth another chance.

Nicely bred 4yo. Only beaten a length in a maiden race five weeks ago, but he was giving plenty of weight away to some useful-looking 3yo runners. It was just his third career start. Something to build on, decent opening handicap mark and no youngsters in this contest. Proven on the Polytrack surface, good low draw and a strong jockey booking.

Four runs this year, posting a second and third finish. Good RPR ratings. He's raced in a couple of £30K+ races recently, and this £5K handicap off a reduced mark should be more suitable. He was rated 15 lb higher this time last year.

The 4yo has 2 wins from 7 on turf. Two high RPR ratings posted last Aug with a win and a very narrow defeat in good company. Nice return run three weeks ago. Should be better for the run, weighted to go very well, and a few questions against a few of these rivals. EW value.

This 5yo looks overpriced. He went close in a 17-runner handicap on his return to turf two weeks ago, losing out at the finish. Useful on his day, he was only beaten 0.5L last summer in a 17-runner, £52K handicap off an 8 lb higher mark. Fast ground suits him and he has every chance in this company.

Fair form from the 6yo last year in his seven starts. A seven-month break, a wind op, and a new yard have done the selection no harm after he was beaten just 2L three weeks ago. In the mix all the way, he was just outpaced at the finish. It was a quality handicap; seven of his twelve rivals were rated 98??"105. The selection was rated 15 lb higher on his return last spring.

The 5-year-old was progressive as a 3-year-old and 4-year-old. After two runs this year, he has taken another step forward, posting high RPR ratings in his two starts. He was a close 2nd of 14 in a strong-looking Group 3 contest four weeks ago, maybe finding himself a little too far back when making his challenge. Worth his place in this Group 2 contest.

A narrow defeat and two wins from five starts for the 3yo filly. She was a nice winner on her handicap debut last month after coming off a six-month break. She was still last of 11 runners 2f out but showed a turn of foot to win, the field quite strung out. More to come from this one.