Hotazhell beats Delacroix to win Futurity Trophy at Doncaster

Hotazhell won the final Group One of the British Flat racing season by the shortest possible distance.

The 11-1 shot, under Shane Foley, landed the Futurity Stakes at Doncaster for Irish trainer Jessica Harrington.

Hotazhell was involved in a pulsating duel with the Aidan O’Brien runner Delacroix, ridden by Ryan Moore, before eventually prevailing by a nose.

“He’s a smashing horse, he’s very tough and loves a battle,” said Harrington, who has recovered after being treated for breast cancer last year.

Hotazhell, a son of the 2018 top European juvenile Too Darn Hot, was a first Flat winner at the racecourse for the dual-purpose trainer, who was praised by winning jockey Foley.

“From a five-furlong two-year-old race to a three-mile novice hurdle at Cheltenham, it doesn’t really matter to her,” said Foley.

Hotazhell is rated around a 16-1 chance for next year’s 2,000 Guineas.

Meanwhile, Irish trainers dominated at Cheltenham’s Showcase meeting over the jumps, landing the first four races.

Henry de Bromhead saddled the first two in the handicap chase as Senior Chief beat The Short Go, with favourite Broadway Boy in third.

British trainer Harry Derham had a winner over hurdles courtesy of Givemefive, owned by a syndicate including Major-winning golfers Brooks Koepka and Graeme McDowell.