Antoine Griezmann targeting big final with star racehorse in Newcastle on Good Friday

World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann is trying to win another big Final. The international football star, who plays for Atletico Madrid, was the player of the match when France defeated Croatia 4-2 at the 2018 .

Off the pitch he is a keen fan off the pitch and has established a racing and breeding operation in recent years. He recorded his biggest win when Txope captured the German 1,000 Guineas in 2022. His other star Hooking has earned more than £360,000, winning 13 times.

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Hooking is now seeking success on All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Newcastle on Good Friday, at which he is making his second appearance.

Hooking ranks among the leading players in the BetUK Easter Classic, having finished third behind Irish challenger Elegant Man in the 10-furlong contest 12 months ago.

The nine-year-old has maintained a strong level of form for trainer Philippe Decouz, winning the Grand Prix Riviera Cote d'Azur for a third time at Cagnes-sur-Mer in January and finishing third in another Listed race at the course last time out.

French raiders have a notable record on Finals Day with six winners from 28 runners, although they are yet to win the BetUK Easter Classic.

Decouz said: “Hooking is really in great form – actually, he is in the form of his life, even better than he was at this time last year.

“He was beaten last time out but the winner No Lunch is a top-class horse with remarkable ability for the all-weather.

“We were exceptionally well received at Newcastle last year. It was a great experience and that is what’s bringing us back.

“These big English handicaps have very good prize money, but the competition is incredibly strong. These are Group-level horses! But it is excellent fun and an interesting challenge.

“I hope we get a good draw, which will let us travel near the front of the field, and he will be ridden by Aurélien Lemaitre.”