HOOF IT appears to have gained a new lease of life in the second half of this season and should go well in the Coral Sprint Trophy at York.

Mick Easterby's stable star looked destined for the top of the sprinting ranks after a tremendous campaign in 2011, but various problems have hampered his progress and he has never managed to fill his potential.

That said, he is clearly in good heart at the moment judged on his last four efforts which have yielded two wins and a third placed finish in the Ayr Gold Cup.

Talented apprentice Nathan Evans seems to get a good tune out of him and can do so once more as he bids for a fourth victory on the Knavesmire.

Ennistown gets the nod in a typically wide-open renewal of the Betfred Cesarewitch at Newmarket.

Run over a stamina-sapping two and a quarter miles, the second leg of the autumn double is not for the faint-hearted.

It is hardly surprising, therefore, that a host of National Hunt trainers features on the roll of honour.

Philip Hobbs and Nicky Henderson have hit the bullseye twice since the turn of the century and Alan King broke his duck with the returning Grumeti 12 months ago.

Martin Pipe struck gold with Heros Fatal in 2000 and Miss Fara a couple of years later and his son, David, fires a couple of bullets at this year's renewal.

Starchitect, a high-class hurdler and impressive on the level at Salisbury when last seen, appears the Pond House handler's number one hope, but stable companion Ennistown is of interest at much bigger odds.

The six-year-old has plenty of Flat racing experience having raced 14 times for Godolphin and with five wins under the code.

Ennistown has since enjoyed a fruitful spell over hurdles with John Ferguson before being sold and he got off the mark for his new connections in some style at Cartmel in August.

While on first glance there does not appear to be a lot of mileage in his mark of 100 as he returns to the Flat in the first time in almost two years, he is unexposed over marathon trips and the booking of Ryan Moore, who was surely not short of offers, suggests a big run is expected.

The feature event of the afternoon in terms of quality is the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes and it will be a brave man who backs against the hugely exciting Churchill.

Aidan O'Brien's juvenile has won his last four starts and could not have been more impressive when stepped up to the highest level for the first time in last month's National Stakes.

It is by no means a foregone conclusion, with Seven Heavens, Rivet and South Seas bringing plenty of potential to the party, but Churchill sets a standard that will be tough to match.

Having finished third behind Churchill and Mehmas in the National Stakes, the William Haggas-trained Lockheed can make the most of having his sights lowered a shade in the Dubai 100 Autumn Stakes.

Saeed bin Suroor's string have been in better form of late and his runaway Pontefract winner Memorial Day can take a step up in grade within his stride in the Godolphin Stud And Stable Staff Awards Darley Stakes.

There is some quality jumping fare on offer at Chepstow, where the totepool Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle takes centre stage.

Who Dares Wins was a smart juvenile hurdler last season and having had a few spins on the Flat since, he will have a fitness advantage over several of his opponents on his return to the jumping game.

Omid is of interest in the opening JPS Handicap at Newcastle, while Halcyon Days can belatedly open his account in the Intu Eldon Square Heart Of The Toon Handicap Chase at Hexham.

SELECTIONS:

CHEPSTOW: 2.05 Capeland, 2.40 Lets Hope So, 3.15 Hammersly Lake, 3.50 El Terremoto, 4.25 Who Dares Wins, 5.00 Southfield Vic, 5.35 Caspian Piper.

HEXHAM: 1.50 Mondlicht, 2.25 Quick Brew, 3.00 Same Circus, 3.35 My Idea, 4.05 Halcyon Days, 4.35 Wyfield Rose, 5.10 Lady London.

NEWCASTLE: 5.40 Omid, 6.10 San Quentin, 6.45 Nepeta, 7.15 Weather Front, 7.45 El Hombre, 8.15 Foxy Boy, 8.45 Isntshesomething, 9.15 Call Me Crockett.

NEWMARKET: 1.45 Spring Fling, 2.20 Muthmira, 2.55 LOCKHEED (NAP), 3.30 Churchill, 4.10 Ennistown, 4.45 Permian, 5.20 Abdon.

YORK: 2.00 Just Hiss, 2.35 Dolphin Vista, 3.10 Lost At Sea, 3.45 Hoof It, 4.20 Nancy Hart, 4.55 Flower Power, 5.30 Richie McCaw.

DOUBLE: Lockheed and Churchill.