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A unique year at Epsom but the Derby is still the Derby - nothing counts more

Anthony Van Dyck (Seamie Heffernan, far rail) had bookmakers cheering as he win the Investec Derby
Anthony Van Dyck, inside, gets up to land the 2019 Investec Derby at Epsom - there will be no crowds this year but it's still the DerbyCredit: Mark Cranham (Racingpost.com/photos)

When the Derby was inaugurated on the Epsom Downs 240 years ago, it was run on a Thursday in May. Then, for over 150 years, it was run on a Wednesday in June before more recently settling on the first Saturday in June.

Well, not this year. The 241st Derby will be born on the 4th of July, an unprecedented improvisation arising out of a desire to retain its crowning authenticity and the filtering process that propels the fervour synonymous with the countdown to the premier Classic.

It is the booming crescendo on an Investec-sponsored card that also boasts the Oaks. It's the first time two British Classics will take place on the same day.

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Ireland editor

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