Epsom Racecourse report: Spring Meeting kicks off the new season as trainers John and Thady Gosden land a double on the day – including a potential Derby runner shortening in price after Trial victory

The new Flat campaign is off and running at Epsom after its Spring Meeting took place on Tuesday and yielded a double on the day for the Gosden’s, who saw one of their winners cut in price for the Derby. 

Saxon Street maintained his unbeaten record when landing the Listed Blue Riband Trial on Tuesday’s card and has seen his price more than halve to land the Derby at the same track on June 6. 

Read below for a full report of the Epsom card courtesy of Sporting Life. 

Up first on the card was a mile novice stakes and the Gosdens landed the opener with Runman, another to maintain a perfect record in his career when landing the contest by a length and three quarters as a very prohibitive 1-12 favourite under jockey Oisin Murphy. 

The mile and a quarter Blue Riband train was up next which was won by Saxon Street for Team Gosden, with William Buick riding this time, scoring by two and a half lengths from Rebel Rocker in second. Odds-on favourite New Zealand for Aidan O’Brien finished down the field in fourth.

Another mile and a quarter contest was up next at 3.15 and Rathgar landed the spoils here for trainer Jack Channon and jockey Tom Marquand, scoring by a length from 5-2 favourite Sallaal in second with the winner making all and always looking on top of proceedings. 

A field of five tackled the mile and a half handicap in class three up next, where trainer Ian Williams picked up a win with Night Breeze ridden by Rossa Ryan – who landed a double of his own on the card – by a comfortable three lengths as Night Breeze landed the win just four days after finishing fourth at Musselburgh.

Ryan picked up a second win in succession when piloting On Message (2-1) to victory in the mile and a half a furlong class four handicap, another cosy winner by two lengths for trainer Ralph Beckett, while the finale of the afternoon (4.58) went the way of Shafdar, a three quarters of a length winner at odds of 15/2 to bag a second winner on the card for trainer Williams. 

Epsom results – Tuesday

2.05 – Runman (1-12F)

2.40 – Saxon Street (5-2)

3.15 – Rathgar (3-1)

3.50 – Night Breeze (5-2)

4.23 – On Message (2-1)

4.58 – Shafdar (15-2)

Horses racing Image: Credit Paul. CC BY 2.0

The Flat season at Epsom is back as the Spring Meeting, the traditional season opener at the track, arrives this afternoon.

Six races are slated for the card, kicking off at 2.05pm with a novice stakes in class four before ending at 4.58pm as a field of ten heads to the stalls for the mile handicap in class four. 

Read below for a full rundown of the Epsom card on Tuesday courtesy of Racing TV, who have the very latest free bets offers throughout the Flat season.

Runman looks very much the way to go in the opening race of the new season at Epsom (2.05) as nine runners take on the novice stakes in class four over the mile trip. The John and Thady Gosden-trained runner was a winner at Salisbury on debut in October and under top jockey Oisin Murphy, is very hard to oppose here to follow up.

The Listed Blue Riband Trial Stakes is up next at 2.40 with a handy £34,026 going to the winner. Of the six runners, it is tough to look past Frankel colt New Zealand for the all-conquering duo of Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore, last seen when finishing fifth behind stablemate Puerto Rico in the Group 1 Criterium at Saint-Cloud but only by three lengths, while New Zealand has Group 1 entries further down the track this season including in the English and Irish Derby’s so this could be a stepping stone to major success later in the year. 

A class two handicap marks race three on the card (3.15) over the mile and a quarter distance. Aurel has had some time off since finishing seventh in the Golden Gate Stakes at Royal Ascot but was a fine winner at Leicester prior to that so a repeat of that previous form should see him go close here for the Ralph Beckett team. 

A mile and a half handicap in class three is up next (3.50) and five runners are set to head to the stalls. Topteam has been very progressive for the Andrew Balding team, having resumed winning ways at Kempton on seasonal return and was a hat-trick winner last campaign so gets the vote in this one over Asgard’s Captain, who won twice last year – one of those being in this exact race 12 months ago – for trainer Dylan Cunha. 

Six runners will line up for the penultimate race of the Spring Meeting card at 4.23 where On Message could pick up a second winner on the card having got off the mark in good fashion at Wolverhampton in October and progress is expected here after now being sent handicapping for the prominent yard. 

Finally, the card concludes at 4.58pm with a mile handicap in class four. Defending champion Tribal Rhythm is back for more having won this race 12 months ago for the Denis Coakley team. He could be a good shout to repeat the trick 12 months on with Oisin Murphy booked to ride following an encouraging second on his seasonal reappearance at Bath 23 days ago. 

Epsom selections – Tuesday

2.05 – Runman

2.40 – New Zealand

3.15 – Aurel

3.50 – Topteam

4.23 – On Message

4.58 – Tribal Rhythm

Image: Horses racing Image: Credit Paul. CC BY 2.0

Residents were given a rare glimpse behind the scenes of one of Epsom’s most picturesque racing yards as a community visit brought locals face-to-face with the daily life of a professional training stable.

Around 30 racing enthusiasts gathered on Epsom Downs for an exclusive morning at the yard of trainer George Baker, with the early mist still hanging over the gallops as the visit began. The event was organised by Councillor Steven McCormick, Chair of the Epsom Downs Conservators, with support from fellow Conservator Councillor Kim Spickett.

Guests were welcomed inside the stable gates for a guided tour led by Candida Baker, who offered an engaging insight into the routines, challenges and traditions of the yard. The visit revealed not only the meticulous care given to each horse but also the individual personalities that make up a working stable.

The highlight of the morning came as the group moved out to the fibre sand gallop, where they watched horses thunder past at full speed. Standing trackside, visitors experienced first-hand the power and elegance that define training on the Downs.

The visit also served as a reminder of the deep historical roots of horse racing in Epsom. Councillor Kim Spickett said the morning demonstrated how local traditions continue to be preserved in active use, describing the stables as “living museums” connecting the present to centuries of heritage.

Councillor McCormick added that events like this are about bringing the community closer to what makes Epsom unique, highlighting the importance of maintaining a connection between residents and the Downs.

Further visits are already planned, with the next taking place at Michael Attwater’s yard on April 11th. Spaces are limited and expected to fill quickly, with booking available via Eventbrite. A subsequent visit to Craig Benton’s yard is scheduled for April 18th

Attwater Racing
.
● Date: April 11th

● Location: Attwater Racing, Epsom

● Host: Organised by Cllr Steven McCormick & Cllr Kim Spickett

How to Book:

Spaces are strictly limited and fill up fast. To secure your place for the April 11th visit

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1986793626219?aff=oddtdtcreator

Craig Benton – April 18th

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1986793958212?aff=oddtdtcreator

Contact: Councillor Steven McCormick stevenjmccormick@yahoo.co.uk

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Derby at Epsom is set to regain its position at the very summit of British flat racing after The Jockey Club confirmed that prize money for the 2026 renewal will rise to £2 million, making it the joint-richest race in the UK.

The £500,000 uplift takes the Derby’s total prize fund to £2 million, with £1 million awarded to the winner, placing the race on a par with Ascot’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, long regarded as Britain’s most valuable middle-distance contest.

The announcement comes after a six-month review by Epsom Downs Racecourse and The Jockey Club, prompted by a notable fall in attendance at this year’s Derby meeting. Official figures show the Derby crowd dropped by more than 4,500, from over 26,800 in 2024 to 22,312 in 2025, raising concerns about the long-term appeal of Britain’s most famous Classic.

A race whose prestige once eclipsed prize money

Historically, the Derby’s importance has never rested on prize money alone. For much of its 245-year history, victory at Epsom carried unparalleled breeding and reputational value, dwarfing the cash rewards on offer.

Well into the late twentieth century, the Derby paid significantly less than major jumps races such as the Grand National or Cheltenham Gold Cup, yet remained the race every owner, trainer and breeder wanted to win. A Derby victory could transform a colt’s value overnight, securing a lucrative stud career that far exceeded any prize cheque.

In recent decades, however, that imbalance has begun to shift. With global investment in racing concentrated increasingly in prize money-led jurisdictions such as Ireland, France, Australia and the Middle East, British racing has faced mounting pressure to compete financially as well as historically.

How the Derby now compares

At £2 million, the Derby will now sit at the top tier of UK racing alongside:

• King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Ascot) – £2 million
• The Derby (Epsom) – £2 million from 2026

By comparison:

• Cheltenham Gold Cup currently offers prize money in the region of £625,000
• The Grand National, Britain’s most famous jumps race, has a total prize fund of £1 million
• The Oaks, run on the Friday of the Derby meeting, remains below the Derby but continues to hold major Classic status

The uplift therefore restores a sense of hierarchy at the very top of British flat racing, ensuring that the Derby once again leads from the front rather than trailing its peers.

Wider changes to the Derby meeting

Prize money is not the only area where change is planned. In an effort to attract a younger and more diverse audience, under-18s will be given free entry to both days of the Derby meeting in 2026. Racecourse officials hope this will help introduce a new generation to Epsom Downs and to racing more generally.

There are also significant changes to the structure of the meeting itself. The Coronation Cup will move from Friday to Saturday, where it will be run alongside the Derby. Its prize money has more than doubled, rising from £450,000 to £1 million following new sponsorship from leading racehorse breeders Coolmore.

Across the two-day meeting as a whole, total prize money will increase by £1.375 million, while the Oaks will remain the feature race on the Friday.

A response to changing times

The changes follow a 2025 Derby won by Lambourn, trained by Aidan O’Brien, who recorded a record-extending 11th victory in the Classic. While the quality of racing on the track remains undiminished, the attendance figures suggest Epsom is grappling with wider challenges facing British racing: competition from other sports, rising costs for racegoers, and shifting leisure habits.

By restoring the Derby’s financial standing, restructuring the meeting, and lowering barriers to entry for younger fans, Epsom Downs is clearly attempting to balance tradition with modern realities.

Whether higher prize money alone can reverse attendance trends remains to be seen. But with the Derby once again sitting at the very top of the British racing prize-money tree, Epsom is making a clear statement of intent: that the world’s greatest flat race should also be one of its most valuable.

Sam Jones – Reporter

Horses racing Image: Credit Paul. CC BY 2.0

Racehorses galloping down Epsom’s famous turf could soon enjoy a smoother start, after The Jockey Club won backing to re-route a battered path cutting across the six-furlong chute on the Downs.

The current crossing, used daily by racehorses heading back from morning workouts, has become so uneven it is now seen as a safety risk, with one official saying it’s “unbelievably close” to where horses enter the starting stalls.

After years of wear and tear, heavy machinery, and wet weather, the path has been left in “horrible” shape and “uneven”.

The Jockey Club says the surface has simply had its day, with horses “almost tripping up” as they head for the start line.

Under the plan approved by Epsom and Walton Downs Conservators on November 3, the existing crossing will be shut for good and replaced by a new route looping neatly around the back of the chute.

The redesign will tidy up the area, improve safety for riders and horses, and, importantly for locals, be fully paid for by The Jockey Club. Officials say there will be no cost to taxpayers and no loss of public access, since the old path was never a legal right of way.

“We would re-grass the section of the racetrack that the path would come up from […] we are looking at a hardcore base topped up by suitable weather surface,” said Clerk of the Course Andrew Cooper. He said the new path should be a permanent, long-lasting solution.

Mr Cooper was enthusiastic about the proposal, describing it as a “definite improvement” both for racing and for the look of the Downs. “You wouldn’t have a track disturbing the start at Ascot,” said Vice Chair Jim Allen. “We’re trying to improve Epsom standing in the international horse racing world.”

Officials say communication with Downs users will be key to managing the change, but most agreed it is long overdue.

“Of course, safety is really important,” said Cllr Kim Spickett. “But people who live here really, really love the Downs. It’s beautiful and they really care about it.” The councillor for Cuddington said she approved of the designs and said the whole chute would look aesthetic.

“It’s not just about safety,” one member said. “It’ll make the whole area look smarter and more in keeping with what you’d expect at an international racecourse.”

The £10,000–£15,000 project could be completed before next year’s Derby Festival, depending on The Jockey Club’s budget approval. If all goes to plan, by the time the 2026 Derby rolls around, horses will be cantering to the stalls on a smoother, safer, and smarter stretch of turf.

Emily Dalton LDRS

Image: View of uneven starting chute on Epsom Downs and racecourse. (Credit: Epsom and Ewell Borough Council documents)

It’s Epsom Racecourse’s season finale Sunday, and the seven-race card card features the Apprentices’ Derby Handicap, alongside four other handicaps, a conditions stakes and a novice.

Read on for a full preview of the Epsom card, courtesy of Boyle Sports, who provide all the latest horse racing odds. 

The first race of the meeting is a nursery handicap run over seven furlongs (1.45). We have seven runners here, of which the most experienced are Galileo Island and Penhallam, who have been in handicap company for a few runs now. Of those running in a handicap for the first time, Ralph Beckett’s Crystal Pier may make the most appeal, already proven over the trip and having run a nice race over course and distance last time. Penhallam might get the better of her with a five-pound claimer aboard, however.

Race two is a juveniles’ conditions race over an extended mile (2.20). We have just four runners in this race, but it is a hot contest nonetheless as three of the contenders have previously won a race and the only maiden, Alfaraz, was second on debut at Goodwood. He looks well qualified to improve and win this race under Oisin Murphy. With an entry in the Group One Futurity Stakes later this year, he must be well thought of at home. 

Next is a mile and a quarter novice (2.55). This race looks to be between the Gosdens’ Gamrai and Alan King’s Alcarath as they are the only two of the six with winning or placing form to their names. The latter would have to improve a fair bit, though, in order to get past the former, who won on seasonal reappearance and should be able to defy his penalty easily enough. 

The fourth race is the feature Apprentices’ Derby Handicap, run over a mile and half (3.30). Pat Phelan’s Naasma seeks a hat-trick today, having won her last two starts at Windsor, and hasn’t been so heavily penalised by the handicapper that she couldn’t get involved once more. Give It To Me Oj, a dual-purpose performer, won over course and distance last time out on soft ground, and has been sharply raised in the weights as a result. Odin Legacy should have a good chance under George Bass, but Way Of Life looks to have the strongest claims at the weights for Jonathan Portman. 

Following is a mile and a quarter handicap (4.05). David O’Meara’s 10-year-old Orbaan has been steadily dropping back towards his last winning mark and, now just one pound above it, could get the job done under Tom Marquand here. He was fourth of 12 at this track last time over seven furlongs and it’s interesting to see him upped in trip. Richard Hughes’ Criminal also looks likely to be there at the sharp end, and is weighted accordingly to being one of only two three-year-olds in the race. Don’t forget Kimeko Glory, though, who made a winning start for Brian Toomey and could go well again. 

The penultimate race is a handicap over an extended mile (4.40). This is another four-runner race, with half of the field having won their last starts. Jiff’s Army won over course and distance a month ago, while Falmouth Lad seeks a hat-trick after successes at Newmarket and Kempton. With Rossa Ryan in the saddle, Jiff’s Army looks the most likely to repeat the winning form, while Hot Cash has now come down to what should be a winnable mark and could be very competitive under Tom Marquand. 

Finally, we conclude with a seven-furlong handicap (5.15). Kisskodi has won at this track twice this term already, while Ed Walker’s Tokyo Joe looks to have come down to a nice mark and could run a big race after some promising performances so far this season, despite not having got a win on the board yet. Course and distance winner Marlay Park should be very competitive also under Paddy Bradley. 

Epsom selections – Sunday:

1.45 – Penhallam

2.20 – Alfaraz

2.55 – Gamrai 

3.30 – Way Of Life

4.05 – Orbaan

4.40 – Jiff’s Army

5.15 – Marlay Park 

Horses racing Image: Credit Paul. CC BY 2.0

This afternoon’s first race is a two-year-olds’ seven-furlong novice (1.37). Each of the seven runners have been seen before, with the best currently presenting as Ollie Sangster’s Red Tsarina, who won a fillies’ race at Chelmsford most recently. She makes her turf debut today, while the best with turf form is St Anton, who placed on debut at Newmarket and will be a big player once again. 

Courtesy of Boyle Sports, who provide all the latest horse racing odds. 

Next is a seven-furlong handicap (2.12). Rod Millman’s Cypriot Diaspora seeks a hat-trick, having won her last two starts at Ffos Las, but may not be so well suited to this track, so it may pay to look elsewhere. Dylan Cunha’s Valley Ofthe Kings went well over course and distance last time out and, running off the same mark again, could pick up at least a place, but David O’Meara’s 10-year-old veteran Orbaan looks the most likely candidate given his good track record and recent strain of form. 

Race three is a handicap over a mile and a quarter (2.47). Racing Demon should have a good chance after a recent pair of places and the addition of a visor for today. Didaar also should be able to run a good race off the same mark which saw him place last time at Ffos Las, and has a useful five pounds from his rider. Questionable could be the winner, though, now just one pound above his last winning mark. 

The Jump Jockeys Derby is next – a handicap over a mile and a half (3.18). Balhambar could have a good chance for Paul O’Brien, now two pounds below his last run on the Flat, in which he finished a respectable third of 11 last October. Returning from a break, he could win this, but will have to watch out for Alan King’s Westerton, who has dipped down to a very workable mark.  

Race five is another handicap over a mile and a half, this time for three-year-olds (3.53). Owen Burrows’ Girls Night Out could go well, having come down a couple of pounds in the weights. She is ridden by a five-pound claimer, which helps her case. Drawn next door, though, is Love You Back, who makes more appeal with a good bit of course form from July and a workable mark for Gary and Josh Moore. 

The penultimate race is a handicap run over the extended mile (4.25). Another for Gary and Josh Moore, Oj Lifestyle goes well at this track and is on a mark which should lend itself to winning here. Magical Merlin could run for a place under claiming rider Millie Wonnacott, while Beau Jardine could do the same from the innermost draw. 

Last of all is another handicap over the same trip, this time for three-year-olds (5.00). Nigel Tinkler’s Amidst The Chaos travels a long way for this and seeks a hat-trick today, while Pink Azalea – who also has a long drive from Malton to Epsom – looks more likely on a mark which may be winnable from under a five-pound claimer. 

Epsom selections – Thursday:

1.37 –  St Anton

2.12 – Orbaan

2.47 – Questionable

3.18 – Balhambar 

3.53 – Love You Back

4.25 – Oj Lifestyle

5.00 – Pink Azalea 

Horses racing Image: Credit Paul. CC BY 2.0

Epsom-based trainer: make the Derby “London’s Race” as town’s training revival gathers pace

“There’s a genuine feel that Epsom is back on the map”

Epsom-based trainer George Baker says the town is poised for a racing revival and has urged The Jockey Club to reposition the Derby as “London’s Race”. Baker, who trains from Downs House “a furlong from the Derby start”, told Boyle Sports that Epsom’s facilities are comparable with Lambourn, Middleham and Newmarket and that the missing ingredient is simply more horses in training.

Baker points to the recent investment and new capacity at Downs House and Jim Boyle’s redeveloped South Hatch yard as signs of renewal: “There’s a genuine feel that you can have good horses trained at Epsom again.”

Call to engage London — and fill the yards

With “a huge catchment area over the hill called London,” Baker says his team will be “rolling the dice” at upcoming sales and persuading owners to put horses into training at Epsom. Jockey Club Estates highlights the gallops’ proximity to the capital and the convenience of the Epsom Downs facilities.

Attendance slump sharpens focus on Derby’s future

Baker argues the Derby needs a reset after a tough year for crowds. Official figures for the 2025 Betfred Derby put paid attendance at 22,312 — a modern-era low and down on 2024 — even as TV audiences remained significant.

Midweek return mooted

Baker suggests returning the Classic to a weekday. Historically, the Derby ran on a Wednesday until 1994, before moving to Saturday in 1995, and he believes a midweek slot would give the race clear air and avoid clashes with other major sport.

“Make it Epsom’s party”

His prescription: “strip it back”, keep the Hill accessible and festive — “come for free… bring a picnic, have a bet” — and aim to make the 250th running in 2029 a city-wide celebration drawing London “up the hill”.

Deep roots: Churchill and Epsom’s heyday

Epsom’s heritage includes Sir Winston Churchill’s long association with South Hatch trainer Walter Nightingall and periods when hundreds of horses were stabled and trained around the Downs. In the 1950s around 800 horses were said to be in training on the Epsom Downs.

Who actually holds the Downs’ long lease?

The long lease underpinning Epsom’s training grounds dates to 1969, when a 999-year lease of Walton Downs was granted to the Horserace Betting Levy Board to secure the future of training on the Downs, with management overseen via the Training Grounds Management Board. This is often conflated with The Jockey Club, but the leaseholder is the Levy Board.

Editor’s note: EET requested comment from The Jockey Club on 3 September 2025. No reply had been received at the time of publication.

Image: Author David Jones from Isle of Wight. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic licence

A long-standing racegoer has written to the Epsom & Ewell Times to complain of what she described as “a complete lack of sanitation facilities” at Epsom Downs Racecourse during the Bank Holiday Family Day on Monday, 25 August 2025.

The foreground of the image is AI generated and is not intended to be an accurate reflection of events. The background of the image is Epsom Downs © Peter Trimming cc-by-sa/2.0 :: Geograph Britain and Ireland

The complainant, who said her extended family has attended the Bank Holiday fixture for four decades, alleged that just three portable toilets were provided “for thousands of people” attending the day. She reported long queues of up to half an hour, children in tears, and many people resorting to urinating on the grass.

The family, who usually picnic in the middle of the course, said they left early due to the situation. “What had been a family tradition will no longer be happening,” the complainant wrote. “It’s almost as if you’re trying to make the environment around the course as unpleasant as possible to force everyone into the Grandstand where the big money is made.”

The racegoer added that her father-in-law, aged 83, was refused use of the grandstand toilets without paying an additional entrance fee, which she described as “unkind and cold-hearted.”

Bookmaker Adam Swann also took to social media to highlight similar complaints from his customers, many of whom told him they would not be returning.

This is not the first time facilities have been raised as a concern. The complainant referred to feedback she gave in 2024, when Epsom Downs Racecourse responded: “We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional race days and we are saddened to hear that we have fallen short on this occasion.” She said she felt this year’s provision showed that those assurances had been “hollow and insincere.”

In response, a spokesperson for Epsom Downs Racecourse told the Epsom & Ewell Times:

“For each raceday at Epsom Downs, we work to book the appropriate facilities for the number of racegoers we will have on site. Our Bank Holiday Family Day has traditionally included activity that takes place on the Hill. In 2025, this activity did not take place, and therefore a decision was made not to provide these facilities.

“The Tattenham Straight Enclosure is traditionally facilitated with temporary facilities. Unfortunately there was an issue with these facilities earlier in the day, resulting in only one cubicle being available to the public. On arrival, racegoers in both enclosures were made aware that they could use toilets in the Grandstand as a substitute for these facilities not being available. As with all our racedays, we will thoroughly review all the feedback and can only apologise to those on site who were unable to access the facilities.”

The incident raises questions about future race meetings at Epsom Downs and whether the traditional family presence “on the Hill” will continue if facilities are not restored.

The seven-race card at Epsom on Monday afternoon saw a good spread of results with a pair of winning favourites alongside some less anticipated victors, with some very impressive winning distances among them; the combined winning distance was around 15 lengths.

Read on for a full report of the Epsom card, courtesy of Sporting Life. 

Up first was a six-furlong handicap (1.35). Of the six runners, the most fancied was Emma Lavelle’s Silver Wraith at 6/4, who raced in touch with the leader, Em Four (6/1), who made all and began to extend his lead in the last couple of furlongs. The favourite could get no closer, with a challenge delivered by George Baker’s Danger Alert, but the Jamie Osborne-trained Em Four was not for catching and won by a length. 

Next was a seven-furlong two-year-olds’ maiden (2.10). In a field of just four, Andrew Balding’s Ghost Mode, ridden by Oisin Murphy, was the favourite at 1/3.  The colt was keen, though, and though he led into the closing stages, he couldn’t hold on for long enough and was overtaken by Ollie Sangster’s filly Mayaada in the hands of Sam James at 4/1. The Nick Bradley Racing-owned filly won by a tidy two and a half lengths. 

Following was a seven-furlong handicap (2.45). This saw our first winning favourite of the afternoon; David Loughnane’s Partisan Hero under Rossa Ryan (3/1). This was a competitive race, with a number of possibilities with two furlongs left to travel. The market leader had to fight Archie Watson’s Aurora Majesty home, but managed to cross the line a head in front with Native American following on in third.

An amateur riders’ handicap was next, run over a mile and four furlongs (3.20). This race saw the second and final favourite of the day win a race; Gordon Grey at 9/4 for Ben Brookhouse under Paul Hainey. The grey gelding was never really in doubt, making all from the off in first-time cheekpieces, and no other runner made it close to him. Ridden home, Gordon Grey was eased down over the line and won by a very impressive five lengths. 

Race five was a handicap run over a mile and a quarter (3.55). Oisin Murphy rode the favourite once again, Andrew Balding’s Soul Dance, who led the field for most of the way. The pair looked likely to win at the two-furlong pole, but Ed Walker’s Stormy Monday ran on home more strongly and snatched the win under Kieran Shoemark, eventually crossing the line nearly three lengths ahead. 

The penultimate race was a handicap over the extended mile (4.28). Three of the field of six were finishing strongly; Jiff’s Army, Due West and Play Me, with the former pair ahead of the rest. In the end, though Jiff’s Army and Due West duelled home, it was Jiff’s Army who stuck his neck to take the win under Rossa Ryan at 11/2. 

Finally, the afternoon’s racing concluded with a seven-furlong handicap (5.03). It was a slightly surprising result in that the favourite, 11/8 Silver Trumpet, all but pulled up having reportedly lost his action, while the 9/1 shot The Bitter Moose made all under Jim Crowley to win in emphatic fashion by nearly five lengths, totally unchallenged. 

Epsom results – Monday:

1.35 – Em Four (6/1)

2.10 – Mayaada (4/1)

2.45 – Partisan Hero (3/1)

3.20 – Gordon Grey (9/4)

3.55 – Stormy Monday (5/1)

4.28 – Jiff’s Army (11/2)

5.03 – The Bitter Moose (9/1)

Horses racing Image: Credit Paul. CC BY 2.0