Fun in the sun: Epsom stages popular open day on bank holiday Monday

Epsom hosts its annual open day on Monday, as seven yards welcome the public in aid of Racing Welfare before a seven-race card takes place in the afternoon.

Jim Boyle, Michael Attwater, Pat Phelan, Roger Ingram, Simon Dow, Mark Pattinson and Adam West are opening their doors from 9.30am, while horses will be working from 8.30am.

Dow, who trains from Clear Height Stables, believes the day is important for the area.

Simon Dow pictured with Mr Scaramanga, who runs on Monday's cardCredit: Edward Whitaker

"It's a great opportunity for us to showcase our small businesses and show off to the local community as well, almost as a thank you for the relationship we have in order to use the Downs.

"I think it helps show the people who we meet every day the complexities of the business and how racehorses are so different from other horses."

He added: "It's an established day. It's in the diary and it forms part of the bank holiday weekend, which is a really popular race meeting on Monday. It's very much a family day and it's in that spirit that the open day runs."

Dow will be hoping he can mark the occasion with a winner as one of his stable stars Mr Scaramanga takes to the track for the £15,000 handicap over 1m2f (4.50).

Mr Scaramanga (brown silks) produced an excellent effort when third to Mountain Angel at the course on Oaks dayCredit: Edward Whitaker

"Rob [Moss, owner] loves having runners at Epsom and he'll be over for the morning so it forms part of the day."

"Mr Scaramanga has been a revelation running over a mile and a quarter and he loves Epsom. He hardly ever runs a bad race here, so we'll have this before a little rest ahead of the all-weather season."

Dow explained how he could have an advantage by being located so close to the course on what is forecast to be a hot day.

He said: "It's certainly been part of the plan for a while. He's a great little horse, he's quite track-specific, he likes the sharp, turning tracks."

Codd out for more Derby delight

Epsom's historic racing establishment is steeped in history due to its relationship with the Derby, a race which – in one form – will take place in the afternoon.

The Amateurs' Derby Handicap (3.40) has attracted the attentions of top Irish jump jockey Jamie Codd, who rode a double at last year's Cheltenham Festival aboard Le Breuil and Envoi Allen.

Jamie Codd, pictured aboard Envoi Allen after winning the Champion Bumper, will partner Mistiroc in the Amateurs' DerbyCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The in-form rider has enjoyed two winners from his last five rides and has been called on to partner the topweight Mistiroc.

Codd won the race for Mistiroc's trainer John Quinn in 2016 on Hubertas, but could manage only fifth on the trainer's Je Suis Charlie last year.

Elsewhere on the card, veteran Duke Of Firenze returns to the scene of his 2013 Epsom Dash triumph in the 5f handicap (3.05), while progressive Godolphin gelding Setting Sail faces two rivals in the 1m2f conditions stakes (4.15).

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