Huntsman can go Close

● Cowell’s charge can make most of much lower mark

H u n t s ma n s C l o s e c a n g i ve his supporters a good run for their money in the Terry Mills & John Akehurst Handicap at Epsom.

R o b e r t C owe l l’s c h a rg e i s on his lowest mark for nearly three years, no surprise given he has not actually won since 2015, but he hasn’t been bringing up the rear every time.

T h e s e ve n - ye a r - o l d i s n o t quite the force that saw him hit the career- high mark of 102 he achieved with Roger Charlton, but he remains useful, particularly off his current p erch of 88. Huntsmans Close took a couple of runs to get going this term but he shaped with p r o m i s e wh e n b e a t e n j u s t a shor t head, conceding 1lb, by the reopposing Highland Acclaim here in July.

He has since gone to finish third in a moderate event at Yarmouth and, while Huntsmans Cl ose has t o f i nd t hat extra little bit with Highland Acclaim, he is worth a shout while in good heart.

Oh It’s Saucepot is on a roll and can bring up her hat- trick i n the Molson Co ors Handicap. Chris Wall’s three - yearold 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 6lb higher mark at Yarmouth.

She won in decent style that day but will have to improve again to defy an extra 4lb here. H o we ve r, O h I t ’s S a u c e p o t is clearly coming on in leaps and bounds and her upward trajectory may not be finished.

Rodaini can make use of a step down in class for the Follow At Attheraces On Twitter Conditions Stakes at Ripon.

Simon Crisford’s charge was a Listed winner at Doncaster l a s t s e a s o n a n d was s u b s e - quently tried in the ver y best company, finishing last in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf last autumn.

H e s h o we d a l i t t l e m o r e promise when second in the Free Handicap on his return in April but a lacklustre effort in the Heron Stakes at Sandown was followed by another disappointing show at Group Three level at Royal Ascot.

Ro d a i n i r e ve r t s t o a mi l e , which should be in his favour, and he is upwards of 11lb better off on each of his rivals on the official numbers.