Griezmann chasing Newcastle riches with Hooking

Two of France’s all-weather stars are on course for Finals Day, including the Antoine Griezmann-owned Hooking in the feature BetUK Easter Classic over 10 furlongs.

Hooking was the World Cup winner’s first foray into racehorse ownership in 2017 and the eight-year-old has compiled an impressive record for trainer Philippe Decouz.

A five-time winner on turf, Hooking has excelled on the all-weather at Cagnes-sur-Mer, with back-to-back Listed victories in the 10-furlong Grand Prix de la Riviera and the mile Prix Saonois in both 2023 and 2024.

Decouz said: “Hooking is in top form. The race at Newcastle was a logical choice following his winter program. He doesn’t go on heavy ground and so there is not a race for him in France at the moment. This race at Newcastle is a handicap and the timing is perfect.

“His preparation has gone smoothly and he will be running on his preferred surface and distance. We are hoping there will be pace in the race. This is a first runner in the UK for his owner Antoine Griezmann and also for me. It is a great challenge.

“Hooking has been in my yard for seven years now, so we have a long history! And he is in remarkable condition for an eight-year-old. We have always looked after him and given him regular breaks.”

French raiders boast an enviable strike rate on Finals Day with six wins from 26 runners, although the BetUK Easter Classic is the only championship race to have eluded them so far.

Yann Barberot, who sent over Bouttemont to win the Sprint in 2022, has high hopes for Fast Raaj in the BetMGM All-Weather Championships Mile Handicap. Fast Raaj went down by three-quarters of a length to Hooking in the Prix Saonois on his first start of 2024 and dismissed G2 winner Wally with the minimum of fuss in a conditions race at Chantilly earlier this month.

The 110-rated six-year-old has secured G3 successes of his own on turf, taking Deauville’s Prix Djebel in 2021 and the Prix Messidor at Chantilly last summer.

Barberot said: “Fast Raaj has run well at Chantilly, Deauville and Cagnes-sur-Mer, so we decided to seize the opportunity to run as he qualified for this race. He is coming off a win and the race at Newcastle is his springtime objective.

“Fast Raaj has never run over a straight mile, so that is a question mark, but he’s a good horse who adapts well to all-weather surfaces. He has the right profile to be competitive in the race. He will be ridden by Alexis Pouchin.

“We took him to Meydan last year and it didn’t work out, so this year we decided to keep things simple and head to Newcastle. He finished strongly in his race at Chantilly after been ridden patiently. All the lights are green.”

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