THOSE in the know have always considered Hoof It to be a Group horse masquerading in handicaps. Later this month, we will find out how right they were.

The Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York Racecourse could be next for Mick Easterby’s brilliant four-year-old – subject to being supplemented for £20,000 – after he destroyed a talented Stewards’ Cup field at Glorious Goodwood last weekend by two and a half lengths while carrying a whopping ten stone.

To put that into perspective, no horse in the post-War era had ever previously humped more than 9st 10lb to win the six-furlong cavalry charge – one of the most competitive handicaps of the season.

It left Thirsk trainer Dandy Nicholls, whose Tax Free was best of the stragglers, merely to conclude: “That’s some pony, that”.

Part-owned by world number two golfer Lee Westwood, and his manager Chubby Chandler, Hoof It is as short as 7-2 for the Nunthorpe on Friday, August 19.

Not surprising given his current form but a touch stingy, perhaps, given the horse will compete at the highest level on Knavesmire having yet to appear in such exalted company.

But, for Sheriff Hutton-based Easterby, who had been coveting the Portland Handicap at Doncaster’s St Leger Festival but is gradually being worn down by his golfing owners for a Nunthorpe tilt, the step up in class is unlikely to be a worry.

He has insisted that Hoof It is even better than Lochnager.

That’s some statement given that Lochnager won the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and the July Cup before collecting the Nunthorpe – then called the William Hill Sprint Championship – in 1976.

“He’s a Group 1 horse and will be even better with another year on his back,” he said of Hoof It in the aftermath of Saturday’s triumph. “The Nunthorpe comes up quickly, but I’ll think about it with the other owners.”

Chandler doesn’t need to think about it. He’s been aiming for a top tilt for a little while.

After Hoof It’s victory a fortnight ago, at York, in the Sky Bet Dash, the man who manages Major winners Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy, along with York’s five-time European Tour winner Simon Dyson, was quick to target the Nunthorpe – a feeling that’s only been strengthened by subsequent events.

“He didn’t sound keen,” Chandler said of Easterby’s initial downcast reaction then to the Nunthorpe. “I don’t know why. Why wouldn’t he be keen for that?”

Hoof It was bred by Pocklington tyre magnate Reg Bond and the owner, who has campaigned Hoof It’s full sister Ladies Are Forever to Group glory at York, is hoping Hoof It can give him the winner he craves at the top level.

As previously reported in Turf Talk, Bond was diagnosed with a brain tumour a year ago and has set himself the ambition of claiming a Group 1 victor.

While he doesn’t own Hoof It, his connections to the horse mean he would see a Nunthorpe victory as fulfilment of his ambitions – and it could also bring a huge boost to the Bond Thoroughbred Corporation.

With Bond owning the mare Forever Bond, who has now produced Ladies Are Forever, Hoof It and the emerging Bop It, continuing success for the blood-line will see subsequent offspring soar in value.

And, having won the Stewards’ Cup with the first horse he ever bought, Bond Boy, he is hugely proud of Hoof It’s continuing progress on the track.

“I would love it if Hoof It could win the Nunthorpe,” he said. “It is my dream to win a Group 1 and it would be unbelievable if he did it at York. There is breeders’ prize money and you get more value from a filly than a colt but it is the value.

I just don’t know what the value of this mare is.

“I can’t believe that I have been able to breed a Stewards’ Cup winner and, if we can get him in the Nunthorpe, he could just be my Group 1 winner.”