Ascot next as Too Darn Hot fails to build on juvenile promise in Curragh Classic

Too Darn Hot's third attempt to get off the mark as a three-year-old will come in the St James's Palace Stakes next month after John Gosden confirmed the Royal Ascot feature remains the plan for last year's leading juvenile.

With a rating of 126 at the end of a glittering two-year-old campaign, Too Darn Hot was deemed to be a similarly high-class prospect as the mighty Frankel by the BHA handicappers.

However, after a setback denied him a run in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, the son of Dubawi followed his defeat to Telecaster in the Dante Stakes with another second place finish in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas behind Phoenix Of Spain.

Gosden's colt had come out on top when the pair clashed in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster in September, and the Newmarket handler wasn't making any excuses for the stark turnaround in form.

Too Darn Hot got the better of Phoenix Of Spain in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster last SeptemberCredit: Stephen Pond (Getty Images)

"He ran a good race, I'm very happy with him," Gosden said after the 6-4 joint-favourite was beaten three lengths in the Curragh Classic.

"It was a big ask coming back in nine days from the Dante but he ran a solid race. I think he is still finding his way forward. He is better than the Guineas form but Phoenix Of Spain has come out and improved a lot, and it's a case of full marks to the winner. He put up a great performance and dusted them all off quite tidily.

"We'll head for the St James's Palace Stakes next – that was always the plan."

Gosden didn't feel the quick turnaround took the edge off Too Darn Hot, who settled quite well close to the pace but didn't have the gears of the winner at the finish. However, he did suggest there would be more progress to come.

"I don't think he ran flat. He is a game one and I think he has needed this race to bring him on again," said the British champion trainer. "We missed most of the spring so I think we are still making improvement."

Phoenix Of Spain wins the Irish 2,000 Guineas ahead of Too Darn Hot and DecryptCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Frankie Dettori spoke in similar terms, acknowledging the impressive performance of the winner. "It was a great race," Dettori said. "The winner was just better than me today."

Too Darn Hot was pushed out to 11-4 from 6-4 by Paddy Power for the Ascot Group 1, with Phoenix Of Spain now the 6-4 market leader from 12-1.

One that looks unlikely to tackle the mile contest is Decrypt, who finished purposefully here to be third at 20-1 and reward trainer Paddy Twomey's first tilt at a Classic.

"We got in a nice position and followed the fancied one, and he took me into the race really well," said his rider Billy Lee. "He took a while to find his stride when they quickened, but he found plenty and will come on for the run.

"He shows plenty of speed at home but I loved the way he kept going to the line. We'll regroup after today but I'd imagine if he were to go to Royal Ascot the Jersey Stakes might be the race for him."

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