Connections of Linebacker are buzzing not solely due to Zac Lloyd’s blistering run, but for enlisting the jockey in their quest for Doncaster Mile vindication at Randwick.

Lloyd boasts seven Saturday winners lately, capped by the $5 million Golden Slipper conquest on Guest House, while maintaining his role as the horse’s pilot through the last year with complete insight.

Last year’s Doncaster saw the young jockey steer Linebacker from a poor start to a dashing finish, securing a gallant eighth spot just over a length shy.

Tom Charlton, the trainer, emphasised Lloyd’s profound understanding of the four-year-old as a boon for Saturday, even as favourite Sheza Alibi with 49kg sets the standard.

“He knows him well, and he got him to jump out of the gates well the other day, which is something that has let him down a bit, that horse,” Charlton said.

“When he missed the break in the Doncaster last year, I daresay it cost him the race.

If we can execute well, he will run well. It’s just whether the 49 kilo filly might have a bit more, but we can’t worry about that.”

Differing from last year’s Randwick Guineas lead-in, Linebacker pursues weight-for-age races this time.

Just 1-1/2 lengths adrift of Joliestar in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m) first-up, midfield versus Autumn Glow in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m), he sheds six kilos for the big race.

Trainer Charlton expressed mild disappointment with the latest effort but noted Linebacker’s habit of even second-up runs, like before his Guineas win post-Hobartville last fall.

“He just felt the pinch the other day in a tough-run 1500,” Charlton said.

“He had a good blow, and he can do that second-up. He will run well third-up, and he gets a significant, six-kilo drop in weight.

I don’t think he will be far away.”

Drawn nine of 16, the horse sat at $17 Wednesday, behind Randwick Guineas duo Sheza Alibi ($2.10) and Autumn Boy ($7) as the market’s only sub-$10 hopes.

Visit trusted betting sites to check betting markets for the race in the Doncaster Mile.

Manchester United will be in the market for a new midfielder in the summer transfer window as they prepare to bid farewell to Casemiro after four seasons at the club

Former Premier League midfielder Gareth Barry has urged Manchester United to move for Elliot Anderson as a replacement for Casemiro. The 34‑year‑old has already confirmed he will bring his Old Trafford spell to an end when his contract expires this summer.

United’s decision not to offer the experienced midfielder a new deal forms part of their wider squad overhaul. Casemiro joined from Real Madrid for an initial £60million in 2022, with add‑ons taking the total fee to £70million.

He earns around £300,000 per week, rising closer to £350,000 if United are in the Champions League. Manuel Ugarte’s future at M16 is also uncertain; several names have been linked as potential replacements for the pair.

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Carlos Baleba, Sandro Tonali and Adam Wharton have also been mentioned, but Barry believes Anderson would be the best fit for the role.

Speaking to BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest football odds, the former Aston Villa man said: “Man United are certainly going to be looking for a Casemiro replacement. Elliot Anderson is probably a slightly different player and a very different age, his skillset is a lot different.

“I like Elliot Anderson. If you’re a Man Utd scout, you’ll mention him. He’s one of the best off-the-ball players. He presses to limit the attacking player’s space. He’s one of the best around, and he’s capable of going the other way as well.

“That’s why Thomas Tuchel’s got him in his starting eleven over a lot of big-name players with England, and he’s a possible starter for the World Cup team. So I’m sure he’s being discussed in the Man United boardroom, as well as maybe other teams.

“I think, from that sort of experience for a player and a club, if the deal is going to happen, try to get it done as soon as possible. I think it just helps everyone. It helps both clubs and helps the player, especially going into a big tournament.

Barry continued: “He doesn’t want to be thinking about his club future while trying to win the World Cup for England. It’s not going to help anyone. Also, the price tag could be a bit steeper if he has a good tournament.

“If something like that is going to happen and the player’s got his head around the fact that it’s time for a move, it’s certainly better to be done before the tournament than after.”

However, Nottingham Forest are unlikely to let the 23‑year‑old leave after he has established himself as a key defensive midfielder at the City Ground following his move from Newcastle United in 2024. While a £100million fee was previously touted to prise him away, Forest’s battle against relegation could affect that valuation.

Vítor Pereira’s side sit 16th in the table, just three points above the drop zone with seven games remaining.

Eden Gardens in Kolkata is hosting the sixth match of IPL 2026 between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) tonight (April 2). Home team captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and opted to field in batting-friendly conditions.

Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma set a great platform for SRH with a blazing 82-run opening partnership in just 5.4 overs. Head smashed three sixes and six fours en route to 46 (21) before perishing in the sixth over. Abhishek also found some rhythm after failing in the previous match, but fell two runs short of a half-century in the ninth over. Varun Chakaravarthy’s sensational diving catch in the deep ended Sharma’s stay at the crease and gave KKR a crucial breakthrough.

Heinrich Klaasen (52) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (39) then put on an 82-run partnership for the fifth wicket to take SRH over 200. They eventually reached 226/8 in 20 overs, setting a daunting target for the opposition. Blessing Muzarabani scalped four wickets for KKR in the bowling department.

Fans enjoyed the high-scoring first innings of the sixth match of IPL 2026 on Thursday night. They conveyed their reactions by sharing hilarious memes on X (formerly Twitter). Here are some of the best memes:

“Bud is getting 13cr to yawn in the dugout” an X post read.

“Looked like it slowed up during the innings” – Travis Head after 1st innings of SRH vs KKR IPL 2026 clash

During the mid-innings break, SRH opener Travis Head reflected on his team’s batting performance, saying (via Cricbuzz):

“It was nice to get away. Bit dicey in the first over but got some out in the middle. Got off to a good start with Abhi. Looked like it slowed up during the innings. Yeah, good score. If Klaasy normally normally faces that many balls, he’s normally striking, felt it was a little bit difficult in the middle, it slowed which is a good thing for us having runs on the board.”

“It’s always good fun batting with Abhi. We are in a really good space. We got to execute with the ball now. They’ve got some dangerous players at the top. Looks a good score,” Travis added.

What were your favorite moments from the first innings of this IPL match? Let us know in the comments section.