TRAINER Mark Johnston hopes ‘tough cookie’ Lady Jane Digby can land tomorrow’s bet365 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock.

The five-year-old is an 8-1 chance with the sponsors after being declared among the final 12 entries in the 1m4f Group Two contest.

Lady Jane Digby made up for last year’s defeat by winning the Listed Warwickshire Oaks this time before being runner-up at Newcastle last time. She will face last year’s Oaks heroine Barshiba – who is 9-2 favourite with William Hill – among others and Middleham handler Johnston said: “We were pleased to win at Warwick but obviously she was beaten into second at Newcastle last week. She’s a tough cookie, though, and this looks a good opportunity for her.”

David Elsworth’s Barshiba won by almost four lengths last year under Warrington jockey Paul Hanagan but the six-year-old will this time be partnered by Hayley Turner after she won on her at Ascot earlier this season.

Hanagan will ride Les Fazzani who beat the reopposing Polly’s Mark and Rosika in the Pinnacle Stakes at Haydock last month. Barshiba finished fourth but the going was on the soft side then, while tomorrow it is likely to ride much quicker despite yesterday’s rain.

Others in the line-up include Henry Cecil’s Flame Of Gibraltar and Cassique Lady.

Barry Hills’ Oaks 10th Champagnelifestyle is one of two three-year-old runners, along with Clive Brittain’s Najam.

Dermot Weld’s Noblesse Stakes winner Grace O’Malley, Gerard Butler’s Tinaar and the Roger Charlton-trained Clowance complete the field.

Meanwhile trainer Tony Newcombe was delighted ante-post favourite Hanoverian Baron just scraped into the field for tomorrow’s bet365 Old Newton Cup. The five-year-old – a general 6-1 market leader with most bookmakers – will carry bottom weight in the extended 1m3f handicap.

Newcombe thinks Hanoverian Baron can go close to adding to his win at York in May.

He said: “He has absolutely thrived. We don’t run them very quickly and he has flourished between races.”

TODAY’S NAP: Angus Newz (2.20pm Sandown).