By Peter Moore at Epsom Monday 26th August 2024
Bank Holiday Family Raceday at Epsom Downs on Monday was a resounding success, with a very healthy turnout with a large percentage of families present joining in the many events on offer.
A six race card proved successful for in form jockeys Hector Couch and Oisin Murphy along with trainers Ralph Beckett and Hughie Morrison.
However, the feature race of the day the Betfred Amateurs Derby was won for a fourth time by Simon Walker aboard the well fancied Lord Melbourne to give Beckett the first leg of a double.
The four-year-old took control of the race two furlongs out before gamely holding off the challenge of David Dunsdon on Warning Sign.
The first leg of the Kimpton Down trainer’s double went to Square D’Alboni in the 7f maiden. The Zarak colt got upset in the stalls on his racecourse debut at Doncaster, but today proved different with the two-year-old winning impressively after making all to win by two lengths under Crouch.
Crouch completed a double on the card with Dashinwhitesargent to prevail in the 1m 2f handicap for Morrison who saddled topweight Lunatik to victory in the 1m handicap under leading flat jockey Murphy who earlier bought up his 110th winner of the campaign by steering the well backed Summer Of Love to victory in the 7f handicap.