FRENCH World Cup hero Antoine Griezmann is timing his British debut 'perfectly' - with a surprise runner at Newcastle races.
The Atletico Madrid superstar will have a keen eye on Gosforth Park when his beloved horse Hooking competes on their blockbuster Good Friday card.
Trained by Philippe Decouz, Hooking was Griezmann's first horse as an owner and proved a shrewd purchase, netting his owner over £275,000 from 39 career runs so far.
But he can boost his earnings by another £100,000 with victory in the Middle Distance Handicap, his first race outside of France and his owner's first in the UK.
It won't be easy though, with two other big names from the football world chasing the top prize.
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Superagent Kia Joorabchian will run 7-1 fancy Elegant Man under new retained jockey David Egan.
While Leicester owners King Power will hope Sun Racing columnist and trainer Andrew Balding has their 9-1 chance Teumessias Fox in top order.
Hooking is a general 14-1 chance for the contest at 4.10pm, but the eight-year-old's handler reckons the race is laid out for him.
Decouz said: "Hooking is in top form.
"The race at Newcastle was a logical choice following his winter program.
"He doesn’t go on heavy ground and so there is not a race for him in France at the moment. This race at Newcastle is a handicap and the timing is perfect.
"His preparation has gone smoothly and he will be running on his preferred surface and distance. We are hoping there will be pace in the race.
"This is a first runner in the UK for his owner Antoine and also for me. It is a great challenge."
It could be a worldwide weekend of success for football giants in racing, with Sir Alex Ferguson looking to keep his money-spinning run going.
The Manchester United legend is chasing the biggest win of his career in Dubai on Saturday afternoon.
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His wonderhorse Spirit Dancer will race in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan, where victory is worth £2.7million.
Sir Alex, who broke a rib celebrating the horse's £500,000 win in Bahrain last November, has landed in the Gulf state on the back of two wins at Cheltenham Festival.
Spirit Dancer will have to fend off the likes of former Derby winner Auguste Rodin to scoop top honours - and with it one of the richest prizes in racing.
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