Johnny Murtagh rides to Lincoln success

The win was an emotional one for the horse's owner, Andrew Tinkler, who is chief executive of the Eddie Stobart Transport Group. Just on Thursday, Edward Stobart, one of the driving forces behind the organisation and son of the haulage company's founder, died aged 56.

For Murtagh, now riding as a freelance following his split from Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle yard, it was just the kick-start his season needed. Sent off at 16-1 following a luckless spell in Dubai, Sweet Lightning won cosily from Brae Hill, who fared best of Richard Fahey's six runners.

"It has been an emotional week and for this to happen has really helped us out," said Tinkler. "It was a tremendous effort from the horse. I said to Michael there would be plenty of pace on and he could run through them at the end."

Dods said: "I was going to give him a break after Dubai, but Andrew wanted to run here and he was proved right and he's done it really nicely. I don't know if I'll give him a break now, I'll probably keep him going. We'll sit down and have a look. The obvious thing would be to look at a Listed race now."

The consolation Spring Mile went in devastating style to Eton Forever, a first runner on British soil for new trainer Roger Varian after he took over from Michael Jarvis at Kremlin House in Newmarket. "It's the perfect way to get going. I'm so happy and I've got a lot of people to thank," Varian said. "This is a horse we have always liked. Jimmy Styles (22-1) made his race-fitness from Dubai count when coming with a late burst to land the williamhill.com Cammidge Trophy.

Adam Kirby brought the Clive Cox-trained 2009 Ayr Gold Cup winner with a powerful run down the centre of the track to beat Iver Bridge Lad and Brave Prospector.

Fahey may have been out of luck in the Lincoln but his Cosmic Sun (14-1) landed the williamhill.com Rosebery Handicap at Kempton. The Jack Mitchell-ridden winner just reeled in long-time leader Red Cadeaux.

William Haggas opted to run Penitent in the williamhill.com Magnolia Stakes rather than defend his Lincoln title but the safer option did not pay off as he was roundly beaten by bigger-priced stable companion Shamali.

Ralph Beckett's Agony And Ecstasy (14-1) held on to the Listed William Hill Snowdrop Fillies' Stakes by the narrowest of margins from the rapid-finishing Night Lily after looking to be home and dry with a furlong to run.

If Saturday was a hit-and-miss day for Paul Hanagan and Fahey, yesterday was much more like it as the pair combined for a 584-1 three-timer back at Doncaster.Star of the show was Cracking Lass, who comprehensively reversed November Handicap running with Times Up in the williamhill.com Doncaster Shield.

Joint-owner Mel Roberts said: "There's a Listed fillies' race at Goodwood at the end of April and we're entitled to look at that for her now."

In Ireland, all eyes were on St Nicholas Abbey as he made his eagerly-awaited return to action at the Curragh in the Geegeez.co.uk Alleged Stakes.

However, Aidan O'Brien's colt could only manage a well-beaten third on his first run since finishing sixth in last year's 2000 Guineas at Newmarket as Dermot Weld's Triumph Hurdle runner-up Unaccompanied took top honours. However, O'Brien was far from despondent with the performance in gruelling conditions.

"They didn't go very fast and he was just a little bit fresh. They quickened up at halfway and he got a little bit tired. The ground was very heavy," he said. Weld was thrilled with Unaccompanied, saying: "She'll get the summer off after Punchestown and then come back as a dual-purpose mare. We'll be looking at races over ten furlongs and a mile and a half on the Flat." O'Brien's Sing Softly had earlier booked a crack at either the English or French 1000 Guineas with a success in the Anne Brewster Memorial Loughbrown Stakes.