Saturday saw the opening day of the Turf Flat Season from Doncaster. The card began with the William Hill Brocklesby which was run in the memory of trainer Bill Turner who won this race six times over the years. The Richard Hannon trained A Bear Affair took the honours under Sean Levey.
The Listed Cammidge Trophy went to the same trainer / jockey combination courtesy of Aramram who scored at 12/1 by a length from Jasour. The Spring Mile, a consolation for horses missing out on a run in the Lincoln later on the card went to the Jack Channon trained Mezcala under jockey George Bass. The winner was sent of 11/2 joint favourite and saw off Irish raider Far From Dandy the other joint favourite by two and half lengths.
Next up was the Listed Doncaster Mile where we saw a Jamie Spencer last to first special riding the Harry Eustace trained Docklands to victory. In the feature Lincoln Heritage Handicap Jack Channon made it a day to savour when Urban Lion under Edward Greatrex just prevailed by a nose from the James Owen runner Rogue Diplomat with Tribal Chief and Botanical filling the other places.
Down at Kempton the old established handicaps, the Queens Prize and the Roseberry went to Align The Stars and Gamrai respectively who was very impressive for the Gosdens under Rob Hornby. The Listed Snowdrop Fillies Stakes saw Pina Sonata get back to winning ways for James Fanshawe and Danny Muscutt.
Over in Ireland the ground at the Curragh was given as soft to heavy and in the feature Gladness Stakes, we saw the reappearance of Albert Einstein for Ballydoyle and Ryan Moore. He disappointed on the ground and the race went to the old stalwart that is Big Gossey who won readily for trainer Charles O’Brien and pilot Billy Lee.
The following day saw the Ulster National at Downpatrick and saw the Gavin Cromwell trained Born Braver under Keith Donaghue see off the well supported favourite Uncle Pat by five lengths.
The Flat season is underway!