• York Ebor Festival, Day Three

Westwood-owned Hoof It outshone by Margot Did

Margot Did claimed the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes © Getty Images

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Former world No. 1 golfer Lee Westwood was left frustrated on Friday as favourite Hoof It failed to truly challenge in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at the York Ebor Festival, won by Margot Did.

Trainer Mick Easterby doesn't tend to waste entries at Group 1 level, indicating his confidence in Hoof It after the four-year-old's recent Stewards' Cup triumph at Goodwood. Set off as the 11/4 favourite, Easterby's charge gave a late push but always left himself too much to do as Hayley Turner led Margot Did to a superb victory.

Turner is enjoying the best season of her career, and she had her ride travelling beautifully towards the stands' rail. The second-placed Hamish McGonagall attempted to steal it but Margot Did comfortably held on for victory by three quarters of a length.

Prohibit took third at a starting price of 12/1, while Hoof It was narrowly outside the places.

"She's a small filly, but she's very tough," said a delighted Turner. "She liked having plenty of room and just blasted. The team at home have done a fantastic job keeping her so well and fresh."

Quick to praise trainer Michael Bell, Turner continued: "It must have been difficult for him when I first started, pushing the owners to put a girl on their horses. Hopefully I can repay him by riding winners like this. I can't believe it, it's the best season ever. It just goes to show if you work hard and are dedicated it can be done."

Casper Netscher claimed the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes following a dominant run in the Group 2 contest, leading home favourite Lilbourne Lad to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths. The Alan McCabe-trained two-year-old is a tough juvenile, expected to compete well at a price of 5/1, and so it proved despite a late stray across the track that hinted at interference.

Sardanapalus, the 8/1 shot, suffered a terrible start and never featured as the field reached its stride, at which point Caspar Netscher stepped on the accelerator inside the final furlong. Lilbourne Lad attempted to respond in the middle of the field, but Robert Winston unintentionally piloted the leader across his rival's path, although he already led by more than a length. Burwaaz finished third.

Winston said of his late edge away from the racing line: "He takes a bit of getting to know, and when he veered off to the right I just gave him a couple of reminders to go forward and he did. He's getting better as the year goes on. When I got on him in the paddock the last day I said to Alan he had strengthened up and he's a very nice horse to be on now."

The Strensall Stakes went to form as Green Destiny held off the sustained challenge of Tazahum to clinch victory by one-and-a-quarter lengths. Kieren Fallon led Green Destiny out as an 11/4 favourite, heavily fancied to repeat the John Smith's success he enjoyed at York two runs ago, and it went to plan in the Group 3 encounter.

Crackentorp won by a head © PA Photos

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Sir Michael Stoute's Tazahum appeared to have stolen a couple of lengths on the hot favourite around the bend, but Fallon always looked in total control - coaxing the best out of his ride whilst never demanding he push it to the limit. Joint-favourite Dux Scholar was third.

A satisfied Fallon said: "He idled a bit and pricked his ears, but he got there. He's obviously gone the right way, because the second is a lovely colt."

Also on Friday, the 2pm at York went the way of Crackentorp after a thrilling three-horse battle towards the finishing post. Sent off at odds of 33/1, Crackentorp was joined by Kiama Bay and Prompter as they broke for the line, but the Tim Easterby-trained charge nicked it by a head to get things off to a superb start.

Last year's winner The Fonz, ridden by Kieren Fallon, ran well for long periods of the race, but as the 20-strong field spread out it was Crackentorp who made his move. Jockey Hayley Turner did everything to coax a finish from Prompter, but David Allan always kept the six-year-old gelding in front.

"He was balloted out of the Ebor so this race was the obvious choice," Easterby said. "He got murdered in the first furlong at Carlisle last time and I didn't see him after that. He's tough, he battles, and he loves it here."

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