Shane Foley has issued a positive bulletin regarding Coral-Eclipse outsider Hotazhell.
Trained by Jessica Harrington for the Silverton Hill Partnership, the Too Darn Hot colt has only raced once this season after a shot at French Classic glory had to be aborted at the last minute.
Hotazhell’s sole start of the current campaign came when third behind Field Of Gold in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and big-race rider Foley feels the horse has improved considerably for the outing.
Speaking on Thursday’s Nick Luck Daily Podcast, Foley said: “He’d only travelled 10 days previous and he didn’t run, it kind of messed about with his prep a little bit.
“We’ve seen what Field Of Gold has done in Ascot too, and it was a race that was run at not the strongest pace for a Group 1, and our lad likes a strong gallop. But for a first run we were happy and he’s come out of it really well.
“He did a piece of work two weeks ago, just as his last main bit before - obviously with the intention of going on Saturday - and he felt really good. That freshness has gone off him as well as he can be quite boisterous at home, and even at the races at the Curragh he was quite fresh on his first run.
“He seems to be in a good place coming forward, I don’t think he’ll disgrace himself.”
Hotazhell’s form from last year, when beating Tennessee Stud in the Group 2 Beresford before nosing out Delacroix in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster, reads well in light of subsequent events and Foley can’t wait to see what his mount is capable of now stepping up to 10 furlongs for the first time in his career.
He said: “It (Eclipse) was always pencilled in for him, Sandown is a stiff track and we always thought he was going to be good over a mile and a quarter.
“He had a nice run in the Guineas and we think he’s improved from that so hopefully the ground is safe and he can run a nice race.”
Foley, who has only had a couple of previous rides at Sandown Park, also partners Term Of Endearment in Friday’s Coral Marathon, a Listed contest over two miles.
He said: "I’ll get a feel of the track, she was a little bit unlucky to get nailed in York the last time and it seems a good race for her. I’ve had two rides there and two seconds – hopefully we can go a place better this weekend."
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