HOOF IT ABSENT FROM SPRINT ENTRIES

Hoof It is absent as Deacon Blues tops 18 entries for Saturday's QIPCO British Champion Sprint Stakes at Ascot.

Mick Easterby's star will swerve a clash with Roger Charlton's Bated Breath, who finished one place ahead of him in the Sprint Cup at Haydock.

Mick Easterby's four-year-old lost a shoe three weeks ago which prevented him from doing any serious work for a week.

Connections are still not satisfied with his progress.

David Easterby, the trainer's son and assistant, said: "It's still the same problem it was before, and we're working through it.

"The overseas races are still options but we haven't made any decisions yet, we're concentrating on getting the horse sound.

"All our efforts are going into doing what is right by the horse as there is always next year."

James Fanshawe has two runners engaged, with the wildly progressive ante-post favourite Deacon Blues set to be joined in the Group Two sprint by stablemate, and Ascot specialist, Society Rock.

Owner George Strawbridge could be doubly represented, with Freddie Head's filly Moonlight Cloud set to drop in trip and join Andrew Balding's Night Carnation in the race.

Other fillies entered at the six-day stage include Abbaye fifth Wizz Kid and Sir Mark Prescott's Hooray.

A battalion of older sprinters including Genki, Jimmy Style, Prime Defender and Royal Rock, as well as former Abbaye winner Total Gallery, are also amonst the 18-strong field.

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