Hoofalong is a very rare runner at Windsor for Mick Easterby, and with Richard Hughes in the saddle rates the best bet on the card at 4/1 in the finale at 8.40.
The son of Pastoral Pursuits shaped with bags of promise when runner-up on his juvenile debut at York last May but then disappointed badly in his next two starts at Beverley and Southwell.
However he was gelded before making his seasonal reappearance at Doncaster over an extended 6f, and duly put in much improved effort to make a mockery of his opening handicap mark of 72.
The three-year-old was slowly into stride that day but showed bags of early speed to quickly take up the running and only had to be ridden out with hands and heels to come clear inside the last and beat Extrasolar by 2 1/4 lengths.
The runner-up went on to just get touched off at Salisbury on his next start, and given the manner in which Hoofalong won at 5lb rise in the weights looks on the lenient side.
Indeed, I have always thought that this horse was one which would flourish when sent handicapping and needed keeping on the right side this season, and his shrewd handler would not be sending him all the way down from Yorkshire for the change of scenery.
The fact that he has snapped up the services of Hughes suggests he means business, and although he has to contend with a drop back to the minimum trip it should not inconvenience him judged on the early speed he showed last time out.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts win Hoofalong (4/1 generally available – use BOG firms)
