3 minute read

Hoof It rolled back the years and landed a big on-course gamble for owners Lee Westwood and Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler in the Qatar Stewards' Sprint Stakes at Goodwood.

Five years on from his memorable Stewards' Cup triumph, the nine-year-old thundered up the track he knows so well to thwart the challenges of Related and Nuno Tristan by a neck and three-quarters of a length.

Having been backed at 22-1 in some places in the early morning, the Nathan Evans-ridden gelding returned at 8-1 - but came back in with his connections, including trainer Mick Easterby, conspicuous in their absence.

It was left to birthday boy Evans to relive a race he said "was the thrill of my lifetime".

Evans commented: "Unreal. It's a great birthday present to ride a winner at Glorious Goodwood.

"I couldn't ask to do it on a better horse. He's a horse that's been good to me and this is a dream come true.

"We came from stall 11 after the boss chose as close to the inside as he could. And in the race he was off it (the bridle) most of the way and made me get at him quite early.

"But he stuck at it well. I think as he's getting older that bit of cut helped."

The apprentice praised Easterby as a boss and added: "I show-jumped in Ireland and got an opportunity at Mr Easterby's two summers ago.

"He's a very fair man and if you put in the work he will give you the chances."

Top golfer Westwood is playing in the US PGA in New Jersey and tweeted: "Booooommm!!! Hoof it! What a star!"