Brave Barshiba excels in Lancashire Oaks

Report: Haydock, Saturday

Bet365 Lancashire Oaks (Group 2) 1m4f, 3yo+, fillies and mares

THE game Barshiba produced a fantastic performance under Paul Hanagan to land the biggest success of her career in the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock, as Investec Oaks third and 11-8 favourite High Heeled dead-heated with 25-1 shot Starfala for third.

The David Elsworth-trained mare, who is blind in one eye, battled for the early lead with Miracle  Seeker, but Hanagan was soon happy to sit in second with High Heeled towards the rear.

Entering the home straight Barshiba showed no signs of tiring and Hanagan kicked for home as High Heeled, ridden by Michael Hills whose father Barry trains her, began her challenge.

She encountered some trouble in negotiating a passage through but never really looked like troubling the 12-1 winner with 7-1 Fallen In Love claiming second.

Hanagan, who was riding Barshiba for the first time, said: "She's done it well. If something goes a nice clip it seems to suit her."

Elsworth added: "This is Jeff's [Smith, owner] third winner in as many days and he was keen to keep her in training for another season and have a cut at a mile and a half. She has been running at the highest level over shorter distances.

"She is in the Yorkshire Oaks so we'll think about that now and hopefully she will keep on improving."

>>Barshiba was the selection of betting editor Paul Kealy in Racing Post TV's expert video forum.