Lionella chases Sandown follow-up off 5lb higher mark on Friday

July 5

We have a string of near-misses since Lionella landed her first success at Sandown last month, and, hopefully, this grey filly might be able to get Barbury back in the winner’s enclosure back on the Esher slopes on Friday.

Going up in distance looked to bring out the best in Lionella, who cruised to the front before the furlong-pole and was not hard pressed to hold on to her advantage.

The form of that Class 5 victory has since been franked by the runner-up Lady Rascal subsequently winning at Bath, and, though Lionella now steps up a grade, the race is over the same distance, and, with Hollie Doyle again in the saddle, a 5lb increase might not stop her winning again.