GRAHAM GIBBONS will ride Hoof It after connections supplemented the Stewards’ Cup winner at a cost of £13,000 for Saturday’s Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock.

Regular pilot Kieren Fallon is due to ride for his main trainer Luca Cumani at Ascot so the Mick Easterby-trained Hoof It, who is owned by golfer Lee Westwood and his agent, Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler, is expected to be partnered by Gibbons in Saturday’s Group One feature at the Merseyside track.

Other than Fallon, who partnered Hoof It to victory in the Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood, five other jockeys have ridden Easterby’s sprinter in his 18-race career.

Gibbons has been successful three times from five rides.

Easterby said: “Kieren is going to Ascot, so Graham is going to ride Hoof It. It shouldn’t be a problem and Graham is going to ride the horse in work on Tuesday morning.

“I think the horse should be better back over six (furlongs) and hopefully we get some drying weather.”

Gibbons is delighted and said: “I’ve won on him a few times before, and I think that had a bearing on it – obviously I am delighted to get back on him.”

TODAY’S NAP: Stevie Gee (2.40pm Epsom).