No Lippy justifies favouritism in the Lily Agnes No Lippy booked her ticket to Royal Ascot with an all-the-way success in the Stellar Group Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes at Chester. A winner on her debut at Doncaster, the Mark Johnston-trained 6-5 favourite grabbed the favoured rail from stall four under PJ McDonald and never saw another rival. The David Evans-trained Lihou gave vain chase, but went down by a length and a quarter. Assistant trainer Charlie Johnston said: “The night before her first run we had a meal with her owners (Barbara and Alick Richmond) and they said their dream was to win at Doncaster, win the Lily Agnes and then go to Royal Ascot, so the first two legs are done. “She was green at Donny and PJ said she wasn’t doing a whole lot in front today. “She was relatively cheap as her front legs aren’t exactly perfect, but it doesn’t seem to slow her down.” “I don’t think she has a ground preference. No Lippy was given a 16-1 quote by Paddy Power for the Queen Mary at Ascot. Spoof (9-2) defied top weight in the Boodles Diamond Handicap for Charlie Hills and Callum Shepherd. Hills’ father Barry made his name by farming winners at this meeting and it still clearly resonates. Shepherd was content to sit off a frenetic early pace before getting up close home to beat Looks A Million by half a length. “We must have gone fast because even he was taken off his feet early,” said Shepherd. Hills said: “Callum had to be patient as they went so fast up front, but he hit the line well. “We might have to look for Listed races now as that will probably take his mark over 100. “Dad still comes to Chester every year, it’s the highlight of his season.”
