TIMES change and so do prestigious early-season prizes. Thus Roger Varian has his horses ready while his gifted mentor Michael Jarvis would still have been contemplating mid and late-season targets.

Former Dewhurst winner Belardo looked the business in the Listed Doncaster Mile and favourite backers at 8/13 had no worries as he squeezed through for James Doyle to account for Calling Out in a four-runner contest.

Jointly-owned by Godolphin and Prince Faisal, the four-year-old will probably be aimed at the Group 2 Sandown Mile with the Lockinge at Newbury a possibility. Given Godolphin’s need to make their mark at Group 1 level, he may well take his chance.

DODS DELIVERS

CO Durham trainer Michael Dods has his string in good order and 20/1 chance Lord Of The Rock just held Donncha by a neck in the opening Betway Spring Mile, the Lincoln ‘consolation’.

Paul Mulrennan rode a nicely-judged race from in front and made virtually every yard of the running - no easy task in this ground.

“Michael had him gelded over the winter and that has made the difference,” the jockey said. “The last furlong felt a long way but there should be much more to come from him.” Mick Channon has his string well forward and 8/1 chance Mobsta ran out a ready winner of the Listed Cammidge Trophy over six furlongs. The West Ilsley trainer is quick to use Silvestre de Sousa whenever possible and the champion jockey is already in top gear.

More than happy on soft ground, Mobsta raced close to the stands’ rail and came through to lead before the final furlong, pulling clear to beat Suedois by a length with the evergreen Maarek, still sprightly at nine, a highly creditable third.

The conditions should have suited Jack Dexter but he ran no race and beat only one home.

Future targets for talented sprinters often pick themselves and Mobsta will step up a couple of grades to take in the Group 2 Duke of York Stakes at the Dante meeting. More spring rain would work in his favour.

JOHNSTON AGAIN

The Brocklesby Conditions Stakes lost something with the withdrawal of Wesley Ward’s Create A Dream because of the ground, though he will be in action soon.

In his absence, Mark Johnston sent out another juvenile winner as 4/5 chance The Last Lion kept on well to hold Simmy’s Temple by just under two lengths.

This success meant Johnston had won four of the five two-year-old races to date and The Last Lion, an 82,000 guineas Choisir colt, looks smart. He is out of Mala Mala, who has now produced eight winners.