HANDICAP specialist Reg Akehurst can strike again with Silver Groom in the Coral Rosebery Handicap at Kempton today.

Akehurst's grey has been running with credit over hurdles this winter and was the only horse to get anywhere near champion hurdler Make A Stand in the Tote Gold Trophy in February.

Following a good second off 75 at Goodwood last July, the six-year-old appeared to lose his way somewhat and was well beaten in the Cambridgeshire on his final Flat outing last term.

But his hurdling campaign has seen the Epsom runner in good heart and racing off a mark of 78 Silver Groom is napped to register his first success on the level since July, 1995.

Dr Massini can prove he is over his ailments of 1996 by making a winning comeback in the Listed Magnolia Stakes.

Michael Stoute's Sadler's Wells colt proved one of the ''nearly-men'' of last year, favourite for the Vodafone Derby a week before the race but prevented by a temperature from going to Epsom.

Unraced at two, Dr Massini made his racecourse debut in a one-mile maiden at Kempton last May and created a favourable impression in beating Godolphin's Wall Street, leading inside the last to win by a length and a quarter.

It was in his next race, however, the Michael Seely Memorial Glasgow Conditions Stakes at York, that he prompted talk of the Derby.

Dr Massini staked his claims for Epsom with an emphatic defeat of the Roger Charlton-trained King Alex.

Having missed the Derby through illness, Dr Massini returned in the Budweiser Irish Derby at the Curragh, where he was disappointing. He struggled from an early stage and never got into the argument, finishing a never-nearer seventh to runaway winner Zagreb.

This race presents a more suitable opportunity for Dr Massini, who can make a winning return at the main expense of Proper Blue from the in-form Terry Mills yard.

Dark Green stands out as the best bet on Newcastle's card in the Jammy Dodger Maiden Stakes.

Paul Cole's three-year-old showed useful form in maidens last year including when third to Asas at Newmarket in October.

Dark Green will be suited by the extended mile and a half at Gosforth Park and he should be able to open his account at the third time of asking.

With 12 jump meetings taking place around the country the best value lies at Wetherby where improved jumper Gaelic Blue can complete his hat trick in the Leeds Novices' Handicap Chase.

Tim Easterby, whose yard has recently returned to form, can notch a double courtesy of Golden Hello (Huddersfield Novices' Chase) and Good Vibes (Malton Racing Association Novices' Hurdle).