Epsom Downs Tips: A Diamond could be set to shine

There are five UK and Irish race meetings to sink your teeth into on Wednesday but it is the action at Epsom Downs in particular that catches my eye, with the six-race card sponsored by Betfred. 

Below you can check out my Epsom Downs Tips.

19:23 Epsom Downs - Alzahir @ 7/4

The first race I'm looking at from Wednesday's card is the Class 3 Betfred Nifty 50 Handicap which features a field of six runners over a 6f trip. There are a few to keep an eye on here but the one I am fixated on is ALZAHIR.

The five-year-old started off the turf season with two victories at Doncaster and Thirsk before a handful of mediocre runs. He finished fifth out of 12 on his last trip here in early June which was over 7f, while his latest showing was a victory at Chester over Wednesday's distance - winning by one-and-a-half lengths.

The going was good on that occasion and looks to be the case down in Epsom, which will be pleasing for trainer Jennie Candlish. The one concern is that Alzahir is carrying a 5lb penalty here but I still think he's going to be a very strong candidate.

19:58 Epsom Downs - Big Bear Hug @ 7/2

Seven runners are set to contest the Class 4 Betfred 'The Classic Bookmaker' Handicap which will cover 1m 4f. The one who stands out for me in this one is BIG BEAR HUG, who will be looking to maintain a 100% win record under the stewardship of trainer Jim Boyle, who took over from Adam West in late May.

It was a strong run at Goodwood on June 6 over the same distance, with the ground good to soft, under the ride of Joe Leavy but it will be Pat Cosgrove in the saddle on Wednesday. It was a narrow victory, winning by only a head, so it could be another close encounter if she is in the running on this occasion.

The six-year-old has had several appearances at this racecourse over the course of her career, with her latest coming in September in which she finished second out of 10 - losing by a half-length.

Big Bear Hug is 2lbs higher than she weighed at Goodwood but she is in good condition heading to Epsom and I fancy her chances to make it two-for-two under Boyle.

21:00 Epsom Downs - Diamondonthehill @ 9/2

The day's action concludes with the Class 4 Betfred 'Pick Your Punt' Handicap, with eight runners registered for this trip over 7f.

There are a few strong contenders in this one but it's DIAMONDONTHEHILL who gets my favour. The seven-year-old is enjoying a consistent year, enjoying plenty of place finishes as well as a victory at Lingfield over the same distance back in April.

This was followed by a solid second-place showing at Goodwood in May and both rides were by Hollie Doyle. She is aboard rival Auroa Majesty in Wednesday's fixture at Epsom so it's Kieran Shoemark in the saddle for Diamondonthehill.

The going looks to be good on Wednesday so the conditions may be optimal for the gelding trained by Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole. A little extra is needed to make him a serial winner but his chances look strong on this occasion given the form he's been in - despite the time between his last outing.

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