David Elsworth has his long-time patron Jeff Smith to thank for his decision to keep Barshiba in training after she routed the opposition in the bet365 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock.

Placed in Pattern company on numerous occasions, the five-year-old could quite easily have been packed off to stud by connections.

However, at Smith's suggestion, the Barathea filly remained in training and has been upped to a mile and a half.

Ridden by Paul Hanagan, who is enjoying a fantastic season, Barshiba (12-1) ran out a thoroughly convincing three-and-three-quarter-length winner over Fallen In Love,

A delighted Elsworth said: "She had the form in the book to beat these less experienced but potentially very good fillies.

"She had good form over shorter distances and about Christmas time, Jeff, who has plenty of broodmares, said "let's have a bit of fun and run her on (next season) and see what she can do over a mile and a half" and I was quite happy to agree."

"This is Jeff's third winner in three days and I don't know what we will do now, but she is in the Yorkshire Oaks and I think we will have a flirtation with the highest level."

Hanagan also won the race last season on the Richard Fahey-trained Anna Pavlova and said: "I have had a few rides for Mr Elsworth, so it is nice to ride my first winner for him and I think Barshiba is good enough to go for a Group One race."

Martin Dwyer was suspended for one day (July 18) for careless riding on fifth-placed Saphira's Fire

Clive Cox was another with a decision to make and he made the right choice as he sidestepped Royal Ascot with Red Merlin to produce him primed to land the £85,000 bet365 Old Newton Cup in the hands of Philip Robinson.

Munsef went for home just inside the last quarter-mile but Robinson was stalking him on Red Merlin (15-2 joint-favourite), who picked up well to edge half a length clear at the line.

"I won this race a couple of years ago with Dansili Dancer and I am pleased we gave Royal Ascot a miss and came here and it is nice to win it again," said Cox.

"He was a bit tight in his muscles after Goodwood so we waited for this and Philip gave him a great ride.

"The better the race, the better the pace which suits him as he can be a bit keen.

"He is progressing now he has got a bit of confidence and Philip is of the opinion that he will get better."

Cox had no firm plans in mind but did not rule out a crack at the totesport Ebor at York next month, although he reflected: "The handicapper will have a view now so we will have to see, but I would hope he is better than a handicapper."

Silvestre de Sousa was suspended for three days (July 18-20) for careless riding on Just Lille.

David Brown is looking to step Doncaster Rover (11-4) up in class after a smooth win in the bet365.com Conditions Stakes in the hands of Steve Drowne.

"I have three or four races in mind, including the Hackwood Stakes at Newbury.

"Steve said he is definitely that class but not to do too much with him this season, as he will be good enough to go for the big races next season," said Brown.

"There is also a race at Baden-Baden and one at the Curragh we can look at."

Richard Mullen was lucky to escape serious injury when he was unseated from Take The Hint after the line in the feature race, but bounced back to partner Enderby Spirit (9-2) in the Poker At bet365 handicap for Bryan Smart.

Joe Fanning has few peers at executing front-running tactics and he proved the point yet again as Mark Johnston's Quai D'Orsay (5-1) held the challenge of Thin Red Line by a nose in the bet365 Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap.

"I thought we had held on and then a stride after the post the other had headed us, so I would have settled for a dead-heat," said Fanning.The Reg Hollinshead-trained Red Rosanna (6-1), who finished eighth at the course on Friday evening, was turned out again quickly for the Casino At bet365.com Handicap and came home clear for David Kenny.

David Hodson, whose wife Debbie owns Red Rosanna, said: "She got hampered at the start last night and sulked.

"She has a choice of engagements at Chester and York next Saturday."