Lee Westwood | John Sunley Memorial Criterion Stakes

Lee Westwood | John Sunley Memorial Criterion Stakes. Lee Westwood can get the possibility to meet up together with his friend Frankie Dettori off from the golf course when the Italian rides Hoof It in Saturday's John Sunley Memorial Criterion Stakes at Newmarket.


The former world beloved, who owns the sprinter with manager Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler, can have a rare break in his schedule to go to the July Course as Hoof It reverts to seven furlongs for the primary time in nearly 2 years.

Winner of the Stewards' Cup last season additionally as finishing third within the Haydock Sprint Cup, the Mick Easterby-trained Hoof it absolutely was fifth on his comeback within the Duke of York Stakes.

Dettori has not ridden Hoof It before however Chandler said: "For us to urge Frankie is nice. i would wish to suppose i do know Frankie, however Lee and him are correct buddies and have played golf along in events just like the Dubai Desert Challenge.

"No disrespect to Ryan Moore or the opposite jockeys who have ridden Hoof It, however {this can|this may|this can} be a true day for the family and i am certain Lee will need to urge his photo taken with Frankie and also the horse."

Hoof It missed Royal Ascot when connections weren't glad together with his condition however holds an entry within the Darley July Cup.

"He scoped clean on Tuesday for the primary time in ages and is in smart type," Chandler said.

"We had the choice of Newcastle however the bottom appearance higher at Newmarket. We're making an attempt a distinct trip, which might provide us alternative choices, however we actually ought to get a run into him before the July Cup. He'll additionally get a feel of the course.

"Hopefully he'll return on from the last run at York - he did OK however he gave away six lengths out of the stalls, as Ryan warned he would possibly.

"It ought to be a good afternoon and a busy one as we have Woop Woop running at Chester, and Lee has Swinging Hawk at Salisbury on Sunday additionally."

Paul d'Arcy is making an attempt a distinct approach with Edinburgh Knight as he takes his current stable star out of big-field handicaps and up to Pattern category.

Winner of his final 2 starts last year, during a handicap on British Champions Day and a Listed race at Kempton, he was fourth on his comeback within the Lincoln.

Then laid-out for the Royal Hunt Cup, the gelding might solely end within the middle of the pack.

"He came out of the race well at Ascot, he got somewhat out of position early within the race and you only cannot try this during a huge handicap like that," said D'Arcy.

"I do not very have a alternative with him, he is got a penalty for winning a Listed race and there are not that a lot of cluster Threes.

"At least he will not ought to travel that way and that i need to visualize how he gets on during this grade on the bottom.

"I suppose Hoof it'll be the danger, however the large question for him are if he stays."

Firebeam is bidding for his 1st Pattern-race success however must convalesce from a rather disappointing effort in France last time.

He finished eighth behind subsequent Diamond Jubilee runner-up Moonlight Cloud at Longchamp earlier this month, however the William Haggas-trained gelding had previously been overwhelmed simply a neck at Haydock on his come back in could.

Harry Herbert, managing director of owner Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said: "I spoke to William (Haggas) and Firebeam looks in excellent type.

"This sounds like his ideal trip and ground, thus it ought to be the proper race for him given where he's ratings-wise and everything else. it is a highly competitive race, however he looks rather well and Hayley Turner takes the ride.

"Firebeam had to create his own running in France last time and it wasn't entirely satisfactory the means the race was run, however i believe back here he can get into a far better rhythm.

"He has won from the front and returning from the rear thus i believe Hayley can ride him how she finds him, however he can most likely be nearer the front than the rear as a result of that's his type of racing.

"He is in nice type and he's a horse we've got continuously felt would be capable of winning a pleasant race and hopefully this may be his day."

Richard Hannon's Libranno landed the honours last year and can be seeking a repeat once returning to make with a slim victory during a Salisbury Listed event last time.

The trainer told www.richardhannonracing.co.uk: "Libranno won the Criterion Stakes last year and that we are terribly hopeful of a repeat.

"He won well at Salisbury last time, and, though that was six (furlongs), he's equally effective over seven."