'She's an exciting filly for connections' - Starman filly Esna beats the colts at Sandown

Starman filly Esna looked a juvenile with a future on Wednesday when defeating colts to win the 7f novice for Brian Meehan at Sandown Park.

Carrying the colours of Martin Hughes and partner, Esna stole an advantage over her rivals under Charlie Bishop around two furlongs out and had enough in reserve to maintain her lead and win by just over a length from the favourite Morshdi.

" I was confident coming here today, though you don't know about Mr William Haggas' horse [Morshdi], who was well supported in the market but I knew it would take something decent to beat her," said Charlie Bishop. "She went through the race extremely easily and from the three to the two [furlong poles] she was very much in command. I gave her a smack and she quickened away really nicely and just idled the last half furlong. I didn't want to give her too hard a race on that sort of ground and she's an exciting filly for connections."

Esna was bred by Canice Farrell out of the Galileo mare Dubai.

She continues the great run enjoyed by Starman, whose first crop is currently headed by the Group 1 Prix Morny heroine Venetian Sun and Group winners Green Sense, North Coast and Lady Iman.