COULD there be an unusual family double for Welsh trainer Tim Vaughan today? He is one of the 12 amateur riders, of varying age and experience, from all over Britain set to take part in today’s 350th running of the Newmarket Town Plate at Newmarket’s July Course. He will be trying to emulate the success of his 11-year-old son Ed in the Dingle Derby a fortnight ago.

The Newmarket Town Plate has been run at Newmarket’s Round Course since 1666. The race was instigated by King Charles II, who also won the first running. The historic contest is run over a stamina-sapping three-and-three-quarter-mile course, and boasts a jockey’s prize of a Perpetual Challenge Plate; a photo frame; a voucher from the Newmarket High Street clothes shop Golding; and a box of Powters Celebrated Newmarket Sausages.