the prophet

Four league defeats in a row for Spurs and now just two spots above the drop zone. However, they have good players. They are at home and only four teams have scored fewer goals than Palace this season, which should give the home side some hope. Home win.

The 6-year-old has been decent on the AW, finishing first or second in 5 of 11 races. Solid form in his three races this year, without winning. He posted good ratings and was a good runner-up in a stronger handicap last time out. He is a previous C/D winner. A good apprentice is booked for the ride, and his 5 lb claim should improve his chances.

Lightly raced 4yo, 3 career wins from 11. He won a stronger handicap at Lingfield four runs back in September and is only slightly higher in the weights now. He was a good third of 15 in Meydan during January and seems in good shape. Strong jockey booking. I like the fact that his only previous run on a Tapeta surface resulted in a win.

A better effort from the 6yo three weeks ago. He was 3rd and beaten 2L, but it was a useful-looking handicap and he has something to build on. He is a previous 7f C/D winner, and his last run over this C/D in December resulted in a length defeat and a high RPR rating. He is now facing much lower-rated rivals and has a 6 lb lower mark.

The 4-year-old returned from a three-month break recently, with a nice run at this track, beaten by just a length. He has a slightly lower mark now and something to build on. He's on a handy-looking mark based on the form he showed last spring.

A better run from the 8yo two weeks ago when finishing third, after coming off a three-month break. He could take a step forward in this handicap. He ran some decent races last January??"March while racing off 8/9 lb higher marks.

Unexposed 5yo, three starts over hurdles, form 1-3-2. The form of his last two runs looks strong. Top yard/jockey with more improvement to come, and an opening handicap mark of 118 is tempting.

Lightly raced 4-year-old. Getting his act together in his two runs after being gelded during November. He was a course-and-distance winner during December and a close third at Kempton in early February??"he never settled that day. The form of those two races is strong. He has a good low draw and can have more to offer.

Four career hurdle runs for the unexposed 6yo, form 1132. Beaten 8L in a Grade 2 two starts back, but the winner has won a Grade 1 hurdle since and is a short price for a Grade 1 race at the festival. Clear of the rest when a close runner-up on his handicap debut last time out; that winner is now on a four-timer and is well supported in the 1.50 race on this card despite a 7 lb higher mark. The selection will be fresh after a seven-week break and could be underestimated in this handicap.

A big run from the 5yo last week after coming off a four-month break, and he can take a step forward in this handicap. A little keen in that last race but was only beaten a length in a good Polytrack Class 2 handicap. Solid form in his four career runs on this Tapeta surface, including a close 2nd of 12 three runs back in a quality £39K handicap, which produced a career-high RPR rating. Every chance off his current mark.

The 5-year-old mare won on her bumper debut in November, winning the 13-runner contest by 7 lengths. She was a very close runner-up in a Listed NHF bumper on her next start and a good yardstick, well beaten in third that day. She’ll be fresh after a seven-week break, has a much stronger jockey in the saddle now, and she should be a player in this Listed contest.

The 6-year-old did well after switching to the AW last year: 2 wins from 6, two narrow defeats, high RPR ratings posted, and solid form at this Listed level. Two runs this winter after a seven-month break; not beaten far five weeks ago after an awkward start put him in a poor position. A return to the form he showed this time last year would make him a big player.

Unexposed 7yo, trained at the good Nicky Henderson yard. He has 1 win from 3 over hurdles. Back from an eight-month break with a handicap win on his chase debut during December. The form has been boosted since. He’s had a nice ten-week break, is only slightly higher in the weights now, and he could have plenty more to offer.