Epsom Tips: Boyle’s love affair with the Downs to continue

One of three meetings on Thursday is from Epsom, featuring seven flat races from 14:00-17:22 on ground forecast to be 'good to soft, soft in places'.

I've come up with a trio of Epsom tips, including one for local trainer Jim Boyle who has a great chance of winning the seven-furlong handicap on this card for the fourth year in a row.

14:35 - Hodler e/w @ 10/1

Local handler Jim Boyle is usually good for a winner around his local track and the 7f handicap is a race he has won for the last three year. This year he will be represented by Marlay Park and HODLER.

The former won this race in 2021 and 2023 and commands plenty of respect, but the latter won this race in 2022 and is starting to look incredibly well treated on the pick of his old form.

Hodler's last success came sixteen runs back when scoring on heavy ground at Chester in May 2023 off a mark of 84. He's now 10lb lower in the weights and was sent off favourite for a Ffos Las handicap last time, for all he was disappointing.

Nonetheless, the strong market support suggests he's not far off where his trainer wants him to be, and the return to this venue could be a massive help.

This is an Extra Place Race, with four on offer instead of three at 1/5 the odds for all each-way bets.

15:45 - Enochdhu @ 7/1

Slow ground will be in favour of ENOCHDHU in the 1m4f Jump Jockeys Derby Handicap, and Jonathan Portman's runner can strike in the capable hands of Charlie Deutsch.

A winner at around this sort of trip at Bath on soft ground in April, he has come across mainly a quicker surface since then, but he must be respected back on his favoured ground off just a 3lb higher mark.

Deutsch won't hang about on him, meaning he should get a nice handy position before going for home in the straight.

16:50 - Finn Russell @ 5/1

Apprentice rider Joe Leavy is having an exceptional year and is giving Sean Dylan Bowen a right run for his money in the apprentice jockeys' championship. He can land the extended mile handicap aboard FINN RUSSELL.

Trained by Ian Williams, Finn Russell made virtually all when scoring at Carlisle over 1m1f last month and is effectively running from the same mark now when Leavy's 3lb claim is factored in.

Finn Russell contested a 2m2f handicap hurdle in Jersey last time and, if he's given a soft lead around here in testing conditions, he might be difficult to reel in as he's still well treated on his peak form.

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