GALLANT GESTURE

Saffie can ensure Lion in the king of Ascot

- JASON HEAVEY

GALLANT LION (3.10, nap) can roar to a fifth straight victory at Ascot today.

Tony Carroll's upwardly mobile three year old is one of the most improved horses in training.

Wins at Brighton, Newbury, Sandown and Windsor have seen him rise 20lb in the weights and today he faces his stiffest test in the Lavazza Handicap.

Rising star of the weighing room, Saffie Osborne, conjured a strong run to score on him at Windsor 23 days ago and he is just 3lb higher today. Another improver Overactive is the main threat.

Hayley Turner rides BLESS HIM (2.35) for the first time in the bet365 Handicap and she could prove a perfect partner for the mercurial beast.