Lower rating points to Huntsmans Close at Epsom

London – Huntsmans Close can give his supporters a good run for their money in the Terry Mills & John Akehurst Handicap at Epsom today.

Robert Cowell’s charge is on his lowest mark for nearly three years, which probably is not a surprise given he has not actually won since 2015, but he has certainly not been bringing up the rear every time.

The seven-year-old is obviously not quite the force that saw him hit the career-high mark of 102 he achieved with Roger Charlton, but he remains a useful tool, particularly off his current perch of 88. Huntsmans Close took a couple of runs to get going this term but he shaped with promise when beaten just a short head, conceding 0.5kg, by the re-opposing Highland Acclaim at this track in July. He has since gone to finish third in a moderate event at Yarmouth and while Huntsmans Close has to find that extra little bit with Highland Acclaim, he is worth a shout while in good heart.

Oh It’s Saucepot is on a roll at present and can bring up her hat- trick in the Molson Coors Handicap. Chris Wall’s three-year-old found the winning groove after sliding down the handicap to a mark of 60 at Newmarket last month and showed she is even better than that when following up off a 3kg higher mark at Yarmouth.

She won in decent style that day but will obviously have to improve again to defy an extra 2kg in this event. However, Oh It’s Saucepot is clearly coming on in leaps and bounds and her upward trajectory may not be finished yet.

Rodaini has been highly tried so far but can make use of a step down in class for the Follow At Atheraces On Twitter Conditions

Stakes at Ripon. Simon Crisford’s charge was a Listed winner at Doncaster last season and was subsequently tried in the very best company, finishing last in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf last autumn.

He shaped a little more promise when second in the Free Handicap on his return back in April but a lacklustre effort in the Heron Stakes at Sandown was following by another disappointing show at Group 3 level at Royal Ascot.

Rodaini reverts to 1600m, a factor which should be in his favour, and given he is upwards of 5kg better of each of his rivals on the official numbers, this should be a straightforward task.

Veejay can gain compensation for a narrow defeat last time in the 21 Engineer Regiment Sapper Nursery Handicap. Winner of his first two starts, he came massively unstuck against a subsequent Group 3 winner at Glorious Goodwood before being edged out by a head at Haydock on his next attempt. That effort was all the more creditable when factoring in his unfavourable draw and he remains a decent contender. – Press Association