TAKE HOOK TO BITE
French World Cup hero’s charge to score big win
FRENCH World Cup-winning footballer Antoine Griezmann can score at another final with his horse HOOKING (4.10) at the BetUK All-Weather Championships at Newcastle today.
The first racehorse the Atletico Madrid forward ever owned has hit his best form as an eight-year-old, especially on a synthetic surface with five wins out of his last six.
He has won over 1m and 1m 2f and can help Griezmann and trainer Philippe Decouz achieve their goal, in the Easter Classic Middle Distance Handicap, with their first runner in Britain.
ALBASHEER (3.35), a solid sprint handicapper on turf, has hit new heights on Newcastle’s straight.
He won over 6f in January and triumphed again on his first attempt at 5f earlier this month.
He has now risen to a mark of 110, his highest since his two-year-old days but he should have a big part to play in the Sprint on a course where he has won twice and finished third on his other appearance.
KINGDOM COME (4.40) came from off the pace to snatch a fourth all-weather success from six runs atWolverhampton last time.
Still lightly raced, he looks like a horse who could have more to offer from his burgeoning association with Rossa Ryan in the Mile.
TYSON FURY (1.53), now trained in Ireland by Denis Hogan, could be a knockout bet in the Marathon on the evidence of a wide margin win at Dundalk on his first try at 2m.
His former trainer Richard Spencer could also be among the winners if CROSS THE TRACKS (2.25) can follow up a last time out win when he teams up with 5lb claimer Sean D Bowen, who also rides Tyson Fury, in the 6f 3 Year Old Handicap.
SHADES OF SUMMER (3.00) can complete a four-timer in the Fillies’ And Mares’ handicap.
At Lingfield, course winner
YOUTHFUL KING (2.05, nap) takes a drop in class and can build on a promising third in a handicap here over the same trip at a decent price in the 1m 2f BetUK All-Weather Vase Middle Distance Handicap.
A model of consistency for Michael Appleby, BALDOMERO (2.40) may not have won for 28 starts but is due a win after a decent fourth last time at Wolverhampton and will be in the mix, while AQWAAM (3.15) is another consistent runner for Ian Williams, and will relish the step up to an extended 1m 7f in the BetUK All-Weather Vase Marathon Handicap.
HOW IMPRESSIVE (3.50) is a tough campaigner and will not give up without a fight in the BetUK All-Weather Vase Sprint Handicap.
He put in his best effort to date for the in-form Hugo Palmer yard when gamely winning a 7f handicap at Southwell 19 days ago.
LEAP TO IT: Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Kepa, who is on loan from Chelsea, during training
ITALY’S Matteo Manassero continued his return to form with a flawless 65 to share the lead on day one of the Hero Indian Open.
Manassero, who won his first DP World Tour event in over a decade this month in South Africa, carded an eagle and five birdies at DLF Golf and Country Club.
Dutchman Joost Luiten and Japan’s Keita Nakajima are also on seven under at the