Weekend Review: Flat season's start goes the way of the bookmakers

With Cheltenham in the rearview mirror, the Flat season got underway at Doncaster on Saturday with trainer Jack Channon enjoying success thanks to Urban Lion and Mezcala winning at the South Yorkshire track.

Starting in the Spring Mile Handicap, Mezcala (11/2), ridden by George Bass, beat joint-favourite Far From Dandy by two-and-a-half lengths to land the Class 2 and the £38,655 prize for the winner.

An hour later, Urban Lion (9/1) won a thrilling encounter in the Lincoln Handicap, taking the race by a nose in a photo finish ahead of Rogue Diplomat (11/1).

Botanical (11/1) had led the 21-runner field, before Urban Lion and Rogue Diplomat took up the running and battled it out to the winning post.

The 3/1 favourite, Harry Eustace-trained La Botte, finished a lowly 14th, while Eternal Force (4/1) could only muster a seventh-place finish.

Over in Ireland at the Curragh, 11/10 favourite Albert Einstein was unable to maintain his unbeaten record, finishing sixth under Ryan Moore in what was a below-par seasonal return in the listed Gladness Stakes.

Won by Big Gossey (25/1) for the second year running, the Charles O’Brien-trained nine-year-old finished a length-and-a-half ahead of East Hampton (9/1).

FDJ United’s Alistair Gill said: “9/1 winner Urban Lion wasn’t unsupported by any means, but the top two in the market, Eternal Force and favourite La Botte, were both disappointing and didn’t trouble the scorers at all, so overall a good result for us.”

Betfred’s Alan Firkins noted: “The Flat season got underway in traditional fashion at Doncaster on Saturday with the Lincoln handicap, and in a thrilling finish of nostrils, Urban Lion prevailed by the minimum distance from Rogue Diplomat.

“Ed Greatrex rode the 9/1 winner for trainer Jack Channon, son of former England international Mick, the previous licence holder at West Isley.”

Midnite’s Alex Firth described it as a “quiet weekend with it being the international break” in football, also choosing to focus on the horseracing.

He said: “Mezcala was well backed before running away with the Spring Mile. Elsewhere, Albert Einstein was bitterly disappointing at the Curragh, meaning confidence for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket has vanished.”

Indeed, the disappointing run means Albert Einstein has been pushed out to 14/1 for May’s 2,000 Guineas.

Over in Japan, Kimi Antonelli (4/7) took the chequered flag in Formula 1’s Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka – his second win of the season after claiming his maiden victory in China two weeks ago.

Benefitting from a safety car before he had the chance to pit, the 19-year-old became the youngest title leader following the win, sitting on 72 points. Mercedes teammate George Russell is in second on 63 points.

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri (25/1) and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (14/1) finished in second and third, respectively.

BOYLE Sports’ Brian O’Keeffe said: “Kimi Antonelli’s win in Suzuka has really shaken up the championship picture.

“The safety car fell perfectly for him as he capitalised to become the first teenager to lead the Drivers’ Championship and the first teenager to claim multiple victories – a major statement early in the season.

“Even so, the market is still siding with George Russell, who remains the even money favourite for the title despite a difficult race in Japan, with Antonelli now breathing right down his neck.”

With no top-flight domestic league games, attention turned to international football ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

In what was a feisty friendly, England’s 1-1 draw against Uruguay on Friday night was a favourable result for operators.

Arsenal defender Ben White scored off the bench, only to concede a late penalty converted by Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde.

Gill added: “Another dull affair in an England friendly on Friday, but the last-minute equaliser for Uruguay was at least one for the book, while Ben White as a scorer wasn’t on many bingo cards, so overall that result was a good one.”