Antoine Griezmann, who has a successful sideline as a racehorse owner and breeder, is set to have his first runner in Britain when Hooking carries his colours at Newcastle on Good Friday

The French soccer star, man of the match in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final and one of the most decorated players in football, is a keen horse racing fan off the pitch.

He has established a racing and breeding operation over the the last three years and recorded his biggest win when Txope would the German 1,000 Guineas in 2022.

Griezmann is the owner of Hooking, a winner of 11 races who will travel to Newcastle to compete in the feature BetUK Easter Classic over 10 furlongs on Good Friday.

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 Griezmann and also for me. It is a great challenge. Hooking has been in my yard for seven years now, so we have a long history! And he is in remarkable condition for an eight-year-old. We have always looked after him and given him regular breaks."

Grizemann watching on at Longchamp in 2021 French raiders boast an enviable strike rate on Finals Day with six wins from 26 runners, although the BetUK Easter Classic is the only championship race to have eluded them so far.

Yann Barberot, who sent over Bouttemont to win the Sprint in 2022, has high hopes for Fast Raaj in the BetMGM All-Weather Championships Mile Handicap.

Fast Raaj went down by three-quarters of a length to Hooking in the Prix Saonois on his first start of 2024 and dismissed G2 winner Wally with the minimum of fuss in a conditions race at Chantilly earlier this month.

The 110-rated six-year-old has secured G3 successes of his own on turf, taking Deauville's Prix Djebel in 2021 and the Prix Messidor at Chantilly last summer.

Barberot said: "Fast Raaj has run well at Chantilly, Deauville and Cagnes-sur-Mer, so we decided to seize the opportunity to run as he qualified for this race. He is coming off a win and the race at Newcastle is his springtime objective."