Hoof It could revert to handicap company
Both the Ladbrokes Portland at Doncaster on September 10 and the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup a week later are under consideration for the Mick Easterby-trained sprinter.
Hoof It had earned the right to go for glory at the top level at York on Friday with a convincing win under top weight of 10st in the Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood.
The four-year-old, co-owned by golfer Lee Westwood and his manager Andrew “Chubby” Chandler, is certain to face a similar heavy burden should he go back to handicaps.
“I’ve put him in the Portland, it’s an open handicap, and the Ayr Gold Cup as well,” said Easterby.
“I’ve put him in the Portland Handicap because Lee Westwood lives near there. That’s the reason.
“He’ll have top weight and nearly all the rest will be out of the handicap if he runs.”
Easterby reflected on Hoof It’s run in the Nunthorpe in which he didn’t get the rub of the green when sixth to Margot Did.
“Personally I don’t think he was quite good enough,” the Sheriff Hutton handler went on.
“I walked the track since and I think he (Kieren Fallon) should have come down the stands side.
“When the other one (Masamah) went to the far side, he tried to follow it.”
