At least 100,000 people are reckoned to have converged on Epsom Downs racecourse on Derby Day in June, when the now-retired Wings Of Eagles landed the Classic at 40-1 and sent most of the spectators home a good deal poorer (if hopefully wiser) for the experience.
The track would probably be happy to get 2,000 paying punters through the gates this afternoon, but a better proportion of them could emerge with a profit on the day if they back Huntsmans Close (3.10) at around 13-2 in the six-furlong handicap.
Coronation Day, a one-and-a-half length winner at Brighton earlier in the month, seems sure to start favourite here from a 7lb higher mark and could well find the necessary improvement as her last outing was also her first at a sprint trip since her two-year-old days.
Brighton also shares some characteristics with Epsom, but it is not quite the same thing and Coronation Day faces two horses with strong form at today’s track.
Highland Acclaim and Huntsmans Close were separated by a short-head over course and distance in July and while Highland Acclaim came out on top and the two horses now meet on identical terms, Highland Acclaim has run below form on two subsequent starts. Huntsmans Close, by contast, ran up to form at Yarmouth on 1 August and returns to a track where he has run well on all four of his previous starts.
Cordite (4.20) has run 34 times without success since taking a Leicester maiden as a juvenile in 2013, but has been impressively consistent through his career and ran one of his best races when fourth at Windsor last time out. He is edging towards a winning mark and is in a weak race by Epsom standards this afternoon, while Flyboy (3.45) and Av A Word (4.50) also have plenty to recommend them on the same card.
Euro Mac (6.45) got off the mark in her 15th race last time out, finding some improvement in the process, and she could follow up on the card at Carlisle this evening, while Veejay (3.25) and Theglasgowwarrior (5.30) both look solid on the card at Ripon this afternoon.
Tuesday’s tips
Epsom Downs 2.00 Rainbow Jazz 2.35 We Know 3.10 Huntsmans Close (nap) 3.45 Flyboy 4.20 Cordite 4.50 Av A Word 5.20 Prazeres
Carlisle 4.45 Han Solo Berger 5.15 Cliff 5.45 Rossall 6.15 Sea Tide 6.45 Euro Mac (nb) 7.15 Lady In Question 7.45 Thorntoun Care
Ripon 2.15 Tonkolili 2.50 California Cliffs 3.25 Veejay 4.00 Rodaini 4.30 Alexander M 5.00 Dominannie 5.30 Theglasgowwarrior
Newton Abbot 4.35 Premier Rose 5.05 Get Ready Freddy 5.35 Watcombe Heights 6.05 Alcala 6.35 Aldrin 7.05 Charlie Mon 7.35 Tequila Secret
