Hoof It tees off for ‘Chubby’ in Stewards’ cavalry charge
Chandler jointly-owns the in-form speedster with top golfer Lee Westwood, but will have to put up a huge weight-carrying performance in one of the most competitive sprint handicaps in the calendar.
Hoof It, trained by Mick Easterby, warmed up for this Herculean task with an emphatic victory at York last Saturday, for which he was handed a 6lb penalty, making him the clear top weight.
“It’s a tough race and I hope he goes in Group races after this,” said Chandler, who looks after several leading golfers including Westwood, Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke.
“Taking on 30 or so horses every time it’s not much fun. Mick (Easterby) is old-fashioned and wants to go for these big handicaps all the time.
“I think we should go for bigger and better races now, even if we don’t win, to see how good he is.
“If you get a bit of luck in running you never know.
“He’s got a good draw, he’s a sound horse and he tries his hardest.
“There seems to be a difference of opinion as to whether he will like the course or not.
“Mick’s pretty certain he will and Kieren (Fallon) says he will so that will do for me.
“I shall be there, but Lee (Westwood) won’t be. He’s going to America first thing Sunday morning.”
Victoire De Lyphar is one of six horses representing Dandy Nicholls, who has won this race both as a jockey and a trainer.
His son, Adrian Nicholls, has chosen to ride Middleham Park Racing’s four-year-old, who has yet to hit form this season. However, there are signs the horse is on the way back to his best.
Tim Palin, the owners’ racing manager, said: “He worked well on Wednesday morning for the first time this year and Dandy’s horses are running a lot better now.
“Our horse is well handicapped now. He has beaten Hoof It in the past but whereas he is at the peak of his powers we are finding our feet.
“On Thursday we were discussing whether to run him at Doncaster on Saturday in a conditions race to try to get his confidence back into him.
“But we thought if Dandy says he’s working well he deserves a shot at the big time. We are going there hopeful.
“He’s got the plum draw (15), according to the statistics, and all week it seems down the middle is where you want to be.
“Adrian has the choice of going left or right after half a furlong.
“We hope he has come to himself and the drying ground should suit him.”
Hughie Morrison is happy with the draw (24) allotted to Pastoral Player, who ran a big race when third to Deacon Blues in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot and has since tackled Group Three company.
“I wanted an even number, which means you go in later, as he doesn’t have a great reputation in the stalls,” said the East Ilsley trainer.
“I’m happy to be on the wings. He ran a decent race at Newbury but maybe the drop back down to a big handicap from a stakes race might just suit him.
“It’s worth a go as there aren’t many £100,000 races around.”
Edinburgh Knight finished well behind Hoof It at York in May, but won well at Newcastle last time.
Trainer Paul d’Arcy believes he runs best fresh.
“I ran him back too quick at York because I wanted to get him in the Wokingham but it was a mistake I won’t be making again,” said the Newmarket handler.
