'I love it' - Simon Walker lands Amateur Derby for fourth time as Lord Melbourne justifies support at Epsom

Exclusive new customer sign up offers


FREE BETS


FREE BETS
Simon Walker enjoyed his fourth victory in the Betfred-sponsored gentleman's Amateur Derby aboard the well-backed Lord Melbourne for Ralph Beckett.
The winner was backed into 5-4 (from 2) and took control of the contest two furlongs out before keeping on gamely to hold off Warning Sign by three-quarters of a length.
"It's definitely the biggest race for gentleman amateurs and the one everyone wants to ride in," Walker told Racing TV. "I love it and I get some good rides so I can't complain. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
"I was lucky to get a good ride again. The idea was just to follow the pace, which was honest, they went a good gallop and he just kept on."
Victory completed a double for Beckett who won the opening 7f maiden with 9-2 shot Square D'Alboni. The Zarak colt got upset in the stalls when fancied on his debut but was far more professional when making all to win by two lengths under Hector Crouch.
Beckett said: "He's quite a long horse and the back of the stalls just caught his hock at Doncaster last time. We had to leave him alone for a little bit before we could go again. He was in the right frame of mind which was great."
Crouch also scored on Dashinwhitesargent in the 1m2f handicap for Hughie Morrison.
Read this next:
Family of Gay Future's owner mark coup anniversary with 'miracle' winner back at Cartmel

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more
- Aintree: 'That’s a real Champion Chase horse' - Paul Nicholls holds festival aspirations for Kalif Du Berlais after Grade 1 success
- Chepstow: Bradstocks on target on Grand National day with Smugglers Haven a year before they hope to be at Aintree with Mr Vango
- Newcastle: 'We could do with another one or two like him' - rank outsider provides trainer with first winner of the year in feature race
- Meydan: 'I came for this' - Frankie Dettori does it again in Dubai before being agonisingly denied in the World Cup
- Grand National: 'Nothing can top this' says emotional Willie Mullins as son Patrick claims historic victory on Nick Rockett
- Man Utd vs Man City betting offer: get 40-1 on either side to win the Manchester derby with Parimatch
- Grand National 2025 each way and free bets: compare bookmaker extra places offers + get £665 in free bets for today's big race
- Matchbook Grand National Free Bet: bag £50 ahead of Saturday at Aintree
- How to bet on the Grand National 2025: step-by-step guide for beginners with top offers
- Hewick Grand National odds, profile + get a £5 Paddy Power free bet
- Aintree: 'That’s a real Champion Chase horse' - Paul Nicholls holds festival aspirations for Kalif Du Berlais after Grade 1 success
- Chepstow: Bradstocks on target on Grand National day with Smugglers Haven a year before they hope to be at Aintree with Mr Vango
- Newcastle: 'We could do with another one or two like him' - rank outsider provides trainer with first winner of the year in feature race
- Meydan: 'I came for this' - Frankie Dettori does it again in Dubai before being agonisingly denied in the World Cup
- Grand National: 'Nothing can top this' says emotional Willie Mullins as son Patrick claims historic victory on Nick Rockett
- Man Utd vs Man City betting offer: get 40-1 on either side to win the Manchester derby with Parimatch
- Grand National 2025 each way and free bets: compare bookmaker extra places offers + get £665 in free bets for today's big race
- Matchbook Grand National Free Bet: bag £50 ahead of Saturday at Aintree
- How to bet on the Grand National 2025: step-by-step guide for beginners with top offers
- Hewick Grand National odds, profile + get a £5 Paddy Power free bet