the prophet

Portugal made hard work of things in reaching the finals, drawing at home to Hungary and losing away to Ireland. I don't think they are a sure thing tonight. Congo matched it with the other top African sides this winter in the AFCON and will cause problems tonight.

England look to have a strong squad and will not be relying on striker Kane. They have plenty of experience in midfield and many quality players who know how to score. They shouldn't be passing it sideways and backward tonight. Croatia had a very easy group to qualify from. Nothing special in their four warm-up games, and they did concede in each of those matches.

The form of Ghana over the last couple of years has been very poor. I'm not sure how they qualified. The recent friendly games have been no better. Panama have shown much better form over the same time span and look a nice price for the win.

Uzbekistan have played to a decent level in the last year and are one of the better Asian sides, but they face a big task tonight. Colombia, ranked #13 in the world, have played solid football in the last year, scoring plenty. The South American side can get a nice win tonight.

The 2yo colt was a good maiden winner on his debut five weeks ago over this 7f trip, posting a good rating. He looked a little green and keen in the first half of the race, but was a different runner after turning into the straight, winning a shade cosily by around a length at the finish. Trainer Aidan O'Brien had the third that day, and that runner has given the form a nice boost since. This Irish raider is from one of the lesser yards and is a nice price for this Listed contest subsequently.

Big runs in both starts for the 3yo this year. Beaten 0.5L during April on his return, the winner has since finished second in the Derby. He was a runner-up in a maiden race six weeks ago. The winner is a short price for a Group 2 race on Wednesday. An opening handicap mark of 91 for this contest looks very attractive.

The 3yo filly has 2 wins from 5. She was 2nd of 9 in the Group 1 Oaks two weeks ago, and I like the fact that she was a huge 6L clear of the rest. She sets a very good standard for this Group 2 contest, which looks pretty average.

The 5yo has improved with age. Three big runs this year and solid ratings. He was a French Group 1 winner four weeks ago. He was a French Group 1 winner last Oct over this 20f trip, which is a positive. His highest RPR rating has come on good/firm ground, a tick in the right box. Oisin Murphy in the saddle is another tick. Good each-way value for the Gold Cup.

Three career runs for the 3yo, two runs last summer and a nice return run this spring. He won a 25-runner maiden race by around a length. He travelled strongly and was the last to be shaken up, finding plenty and never in trouble. The next four home in the race have all won races since. He's had a nice two-month break and gets to run off a handy-looking opening handicap mark of 90. Every chance he can take another big step forward.

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.

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.

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.