Esna strike proves notable for Meehan Brian Meehan’s Esna showed class and courage to take the Childwickbury Stud Fillies’ Trial Stakes at Newbury. A 13-2 chance under Ryan Moore, the daughter of Starman was making her second start of the current campaign having finished fourth at the same Listed level in the Pretty Polly at Newmarket. This time she was not for beating, holding off a challenge from 3-1 chance Sacred Ground to secure a half-length victory, with royal runner Golden Orbit (6-4 favourite) unplaced. It was a first winner of the new campaign for Meehan, who said: “We’re not a big operation and you have to take each horse each day. They have all been running consistently, like this filly did at Newmarket, and she looks very progressive. “It’s a relief to get off the mark and you’re always as good as your last year. You like to think a winner is inevitable, but it’s nice to do it with a filly like her.” Esna was made a 33-1 for the Betfred Oaks by Paddy Power, but Meehan is unsure on an Epsom bid, with a trip to Chantilly for the French equivalent looking most likely. Meehan added: “I think a mile and a half might be out of her stamina limit and a mile and a quarter could be more comfortable for her. We’re in good shape. She had solid two-year-old form and today was brilliant. “She could go to France for the Prix de Diane. I hadn’t overly planned for two runs in the spring for her, she caught me by surprise a little bit at Newmarket, I was expecting a little bit more there and she had been away for a racecourse gallop and was really well. “I looked around earlier this week and thought she’s really looking well so she’s clearly just took that little bit longer to come to herself. “The Diane is there and it’s a speed track and she travelled well today. It could be a possibility. There is also the Hampton Court as well to consider, so there are lots of ways we could go. The discussion first will be the Prix de Diane and I’ll speak to the owners and see what they want to do. “She could be a horse for the Breeders’ Cup at the end of the year and she’s a filly with lots of scope and the world could be her oyster.”
