the prophet

The form from South Africa going into the finals was poor, and they offered little in the opening game against Mexico. The Czech side needs some points after losing to South Korea, and I feel they have the quality to grind out a win.

A solid return run from the 3yo during April, staying on strong at the finish and mixing it with a couple of runners who finished first and third in the Derby. He's had a nice two-month break, and he ran well in a couple of fast-ground Group races last summer. He does have the second-highest rating in this Group 3 contest.

The 6yo has five wins on turf. A bit of an unknown, having been trained previously in France and Qatar, and he was off the track for 15 months before returning with two UK runs this year. He looked good when winning a strong 16-runner handicap two weeks ago, quickening up nicely once he got daylight; the front two had pulled a long way clear of the rest. He earned a big RPR rating that day, and despite his higher mark now he looks to have some room to play with. Ryan Moore takes over in the saddle.

The Swiss could only draw with Qatar in the opening game and will not be taking too many chances tonight, with every point vital. Bosnia are not the greatest team in attack, but they played well to reach the finals and know how to keep opponents quiet.

Host nation Canada got a decent draw in their opening game. Less nerves tonight and more confidence should see them getting the better of a poor Qatar side, who were lucky to get a draw in their first game.

This should be a good open game with plenty of goals. Host Mexico, after a good 2-0 win on the opening day, will be feeling good and could raise their game to another level against this South Korean side.

Irish raider. Two career runs. Expected to win four weeks ago and did so easily, winning the maiden race by 5L. Better judged on her debut when beaten by just a head. The winner that day was then a close runner-up in a Group 3 next time out, behind the winner who won the Group 2 Coventry Stakes on Tuesday. The form stands up and she should do well in this Group 3 6f sprint.

Progressive form from this 3yo filly last year. She was a 6f C/D Group 3 winner at the Royal meeting last year, on similar good/firm ground. She beat the now 120-rated Gstaad in a Group 1 last August. She's wintered well and was an impressive 3L Group 2 winner on her return four weeks ago. She's the top-rated for this Group 1 contest. She has a 3 lb sex allowance, and there's every chance she'll improve again from that return run.

A solid return run from the 4yo when finishing 3rd in a decent handicap over this 12f trip, staying on strongly at the finish. He's had a nice seven-week break to get ready for this handicap, running off the same mark, and he should be sharper now. The form from his return run is good. The 1st and 2nd that day finished 1st and 2nd at this meeting on Tuesday in a 16-runner handicap.

The 3yo filly has five wins from seven, three of those wins in Group 1 company, winning those races by a length, 3L, and 2L. She looks a class above these rivals. She was easy winner of the Irish 1000 Guineas recently.

Just three career runs for the 3yo filly: a narrow defeat followed by two wins. Room for more improvement. She was a good 2L winner five weeks ago. It wasn't a great passage up the straight, but she was well on top in the final furlong. The form has been boosted by both the second and third since. Decent opening handicap mark. The booking of Oisin Murphy for the ride is positive.

The 3yo has 3 wins from 5 career starts, all on fast good/firm ground. He ran well for a long way in the Derby two weeks ago on soft ground but was outpaced in the latter stages. He was a nice 2L Listed winner on his return in early May, and I feel the runner-up was a useful, unexposed type. The two market leaders in this Group 2 contest could be overestimated.

Unexposed 3yo filly, five career runs. A big run last month after coming off an eight-month break. She can be a big player in this handicap if she takes a step forward. She was a close 2nd that day in a useful-looking handicap, not the best of draws. The 1st and 3rd, both rated quite a bit higher, have both run well since. The selection is effectively running off a 2 lb lower mark now with a good apprentice taking over in the saddle.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained 2yo should be a big player in the 5f Group 2 sprint. Runner-up in a Group 3 over 6f when last seen, he showed plenty of speed and was only headed in the last 100 yards. This drop back to 5f should suit him. The winner that day went on to win the 21-runner Group 2 Coventry Stakes on Tuesday despite having a very poor draw.

The 5-year-old mare is one of the best middle-distance runners around, rated 120. She is suited by the quick ground and should be a big player in this Group 2. A Group 3 winner on her return five weeks ago, she is in good shape. She was narrowly beaten at the finish last year at the Royal meeting over this 12f course/distance in a very strong Group 1 contest.

The 7yo Japanese raider was a close runner-up in this 6f Group 1 sprint last year and was 3L clear of the rest. Similar quick ground again today. He's in good shape, having won an 18-runner Group 1 by 2L back in March, and four weeks later he was runner-up in a Group 1 contest behind superstar Ka Ying Rising. A class act, and Ryan Moore now takes over in the saddle.

The 3yo colt was a very good 4th of 14 in the 2,000 Guineas seven weeks ago, maybe doing a little too much at the front end that day. No chance behind the front two at the finish, but those two dominated the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes on Tuesday. The selection was having just his third career run and was coming off a seven-month break, and should improve for the run. He now drops into a Group 3 contest with Oisin Murphy taking over in the saddle. He looks a nice bet.

The 5yo was a very close 3rd of 28 in this handicap last year, despite a very poor draw. A 3 lb lower mark now and a much better jockey in the saddle. He was a close runner-up in a decent Listed contest three weeks ago, is in good shape, and is ready to strike.

Lightly raced 3yo. A very impressive 4L handicap winner seven weeks ago, easy through the line with plenty more to give. It was his first run on good-to-firm ground. Higher mark for this handicap, but the runner-up has given the form a big boost since. The well-beaten 4th and 5th have both run good races since and are rated quite a bit higher now.

The 5yo can bounce back after something was amiss in a Group 1 contest two weeks ago, good/soft ground. The O'Brien runner does have the highest rating for this level-weights conditions race. Just three starts on good/firm ground. Three big runs, including finishing second in the Gold Cup at this meeting last year over a similar 20f trip as this contest. He did finish 7L clear of the rest that day.