HEART OF A LION

Urban wins Lincoln in photo finish... and Channon will call Dad, Mick, to tell him 'stuff it'!

- BY DAVID YATES

URBAN LION was the talk of the town in the William Hill Lincoln as Jack Channon toasted the start of the 2026 Flat season with a double.

The evidence of the camera was called for to decide the outcome of the first big race of the new campaign as Urban Lion and Rogue Diplomat flashed past the winning post together.

The judge announced the Eddie Greatrex-ridden 9-1 chance Urban Lion as the nose victor, just over an hour after Channon's, Mezcala and George Bass had lifted the Lincoln's consolation race, the Spring Mile.

“I thought we beat there, to be brutally honest,” admitted Channon, who took over the running of the historic West Ilsley Stables from his father Mick at the beginning of 2023.

“He's a massive horse. He didn't run at two, he had a very light campaign at three, and last year was probably his first proper season.