Hotazhell justifies favouritism in Curragh opener

Fresh from their feature race win at Gowran on Monday, Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley tasted further success in the opener this evening, with Hotazhell justifying favouritism in the Spar Shop At The Curragh Irish EBF Maiden.

Having endured a luckless passage when fourth on debut at Leopardstown last month, the 70,000 pound yearling purchase was well-fancied to gain compensation today.

Available at 7/4 in early shows, the Too Darn Hot colt eventually went off the clear favourite at 5/4 in the colours of the Silverton Hill Partnership.

Settled in second, the bay victor was pushed along in pursuit of the front-running Mount Parnassus from the two-furlong pole.

The market leader gradually reeled-in the front-runner and took over inside the final 200 yards, going on to score by a length-and-a-quarter.

The aforementioned Mount Parnassus (20/1) ultimately had to settle for second under Gavin Ryan, while there was three-lengths back to debutant Swagman (3/1) in third.

"He's a lovely horse. He's probably growing a bit at the moment and he's not going to Ascot," said Harrington.

"We'll take our time with him, he's in the Railway Stakes but that's only six furlongs. He's won over seven and if we are doing anything we'd go up.

"I know he's a Too Darn Hot but he finished off very strong. He's a really nice horse.

"He got away with that ground but probably wants it a little easier.

"Unless we went somewhere in France I'd almost sit and wait with him for the National Stakes, or something like that.

"He's a smashing horse. He's carrying the Pathfork colours, who was my first Group 1 winner."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson