UK: Nunthorpe Green Light For Hoof It

Saturday's Stewards' Cup winner Hoof It is set to make the leap to Group One company in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York later this month.

The four-year-old shrugged off top weight to blaze to victory in the six-furlong handicap, with trainer Mick Easterby hailing him as better than his 1976 Nunthorpe winner Lochnager.

Hoof It is owned in partnership by Easterby, golfer Lee Westwood and his manager Chubby Chandler, with the latter confirming their intention to stump up the £20,000 supplementary fee for the August 19 event.

Chandler tweeted: "Hoof it will be supplemented for the Nunthorpe at York in a couple of weeks' time - then maybe Paris if going doesn't get too soft!"

Kevin Ryan is likely to have at least two runners in the race. The unbeaten juvenile Bapak Chinta and King George Stakes winner Masamah will form a formidable team for the Hambleton handler, with the likes of Tiddliwinks and Lexi's Hero also in the mix.

Bapak Chinta, who defeated subsequent Windsor Castle and July Stakes winner Frederick Engels on his debut before claiming the Norfolk Stakes, will be one of the favourites on the Knavesmire when in receipt of plenty of weight.

Masamah has progressed through the ranks, winning a handicap and a Listed race at York before his Group Two success at Goodwood last week.

Ryan said: "Bapak Chinta is fine, he's in great nick. We didn't go to France for the Robert Papin because the ground was too soft. Masamah will probably go straight for the Nunthorpe, too. It's a nice problem to have a few good sprinters."


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