Urban Lion Clinches Thrilling Victory in Lincoln

Edward Greatrex achieved his most significant win in 11 years, teaming up with Jack Channon for a remarkable double on the inaugural day of the Flat turf season, as Urban Lion emerged victorious in the William Hill Lincoln at Doncaster. Channon had already made a strong start to the term with a win in the Spring Mile with Mezcala. In the Lincoln, Botanical led the pack, with Urban Lion and Rogue Diplomat making a late surge to the finish line, where Greatrex secured a narrow victory by a nose on the 9/1 shot. Greatrex had previously won the Balmoral Handicap on Saeed bin Suroor's Musaddas as a 5lb claimer in 2015. Channon expressed his delight, stating, 'We've joked about having two horses prepared for both divisions.' He added, 'He's been training beautifully all spring, and I thought we were beat, but thankfully it went our way.' Channon believes Urban Lion is well-suited for big, straight miles and plans to enter him in significant handicap races, aiming for black-type success. Meanwhile, Docklands justified his odds-on favoritism with a comfortable win in the William Hill Doncaster Mile Stakes, while Aramram ensured Richard Hannon started the new season with a win in the William Hill Price Boosts Every Day Cammidge Trophy Stakes. A Bear Affair impressed in the William Hill Bill Turner Memorial EBF Brocklesby Stakes, and Mezcala delivered a win in the William Hill Epic Boosts Spring Mile Handicap. High Storm got off the mark under Sam James in the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Maiden Stakes, rounding out the day's events.