Hoof It looking grand for Duke of York

David Easterby, assistant trainer to his father Mick, feels Hoof It is the horse to beat in today’s Duke of York totepool Stakes on the Kanvesmire.

The five-year-old enjoyed a terrific campaign last summer, winning three races including a record weight carrying performance in Goodwood’s Stewards’ Cup. He was then unlucky in the Group One Sprint Cup at Haydock, proving he was up to mixing it with the best around.

Hoof It will be ridden by Ryan Moore for the first time at the request of his owners, golfer Lee Westwood and agent, Andrew “Chubby” Chandler.

“He’s in cracking order and he’s worked three times,” said Easterby. “I am slightly worried that Mayson hasn’t done a thing wrong so far this year, but we’re going there with probably the horse to beat.

“I think he’s the best horse in the race. I think his best form will be on good to firm ground this year, but it’s the same for everybody. We’ve won races with cut in the ground before and it’s not that much of a worry for us.”

While Hoof It is likely to go off favourite, he will face plenty of rivals who have achieved more than winning just handicaps, including Society Rock. The five-year-old won the Group One Golden Jubilee Stakes last year and followed that up with a cracking run in France when going down narrowly to Freddie Head’s Moonlight Cloud in the Prix Maurice de Gheest.

His form tailed off slightly and he was last seen in Hong Kong in December where he was well beaten.

“He’s not one that tells you much at home, but he looks really well,” said trainer James Fanshawe. “In the past it has taken him a race or two to get into gear but he seems well in himself.”

Champion trainer Richard Hannon is doubly represented by Libranno and Elnawin.

Meanwhile, John Gosden will find out which direction he takes with The Fugue for the rest of the season after her run in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes. The Dansili filly finished fourth in the 1000 Guineas less than two weeks ago on what was just her second start on the back of a win in a Newmarket maiden last October. She is prominent in the betting for the Investec Oaks but Gosden is unsure about her stamina over a mile and a half and feels he will find out a lot more this week. “She ran a nice race at Newmarket in the 1000 Guineas, especially as one ran into the back of her after a furlong or so, which meant she lost her stride for a bit,” said Gosden.