Hoof It set for Ascot sprint next, according to Easterby

Mick Easterby has confirmed the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot next month as the likely next port of call for star sprinter Hoof It.

The four-year-old has given his connections a fantastic season, with three victories which culminated in an awesome display under top weight in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood.

Although only sixth on his Group One debut in the Nunthorpe, Hoof It showed he is a sprinter from out of the top drawer when a luckless third – beaten only a neck – in the Sprint Cup at Haydock last time in which the victor, Dream Ahead, had to survive a stewards’ inquiry.

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The obvious options for Hoof It are the Ascot Group Two on October 15 or a trip to France for the Prix de l’Abbaye on Arc weekend, but Easterby is currently favouring the former.

“I think he probably goes to Ascot – hopefully,” said Sheriff Hutton-based Easterby who co-owns the horse with golfer Lee Westwood and sports agent Chubby Chandler.

“Mr (Reg) Bond who bred him said to me he must go on soft ground, but he’s a good-ground horse and wants top of the ground – I’m sure of it now.”

n Yorkshire Wolds trainer Declan Carroll has ambitious plans for Farang Kondiew, winner of the opener at Ayr yesterday.

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An impressive two-and-a-quarter length winner, the Sledmere handler revealed: “He’s always shown loads of speed and I think he’s got a future as the family get better with age.

“If he runs once more this season it will be in the Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar (October 1).”

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