'If there's cut in the ground he won't run like an outsider' - Group 1-winning 50-1 shot set for Coral-Eclipse showdown

You can get as big as 50-1 about Hotazhell winning a red-hot Coral-Eclipse at Sandown if you shop around, but Shane Foley thinks he could make a mockery of that price if conditions come in his favour on Saturday week. 

The Too Darn Hot colt has some top-class juvenile form. Not only did he have Derby winner Lambourn back in fifth when landing the Beresford Stakes at the Curragh last autumn, but he also nosed out Delacroix in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster in late October. 

Hotazhell was a leading fancy for the Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp last month, but was taken out of the race at the eleventh hour due to the quick ground, a move trainer Jessica Harrington called a "grown-up" decision. 

He made a belated reappearance in the Irish 2,000 Guineas when a creditable third to Field Of Gold, and that could set him up for a big season. 

"If all goes well Hotazhell will go for the Eclipse," Harrington said on Wednesday. "We don't want firm ground for him, that's all. 

"We could have gone to France this weekend for a Group 2, but we said we would wait. There are plenty of lovely races in the autumn for him so why rush? We've been patient.

"I thought he ran very well in the Irish Guineas; we were delighted. That was his first run of the year, remember. All the rest of them had a run going there, but he ran really well. 

"I think a mile and a quarter will be fine for him in the Eclipse and he seems to be in very good form."

Jessica Harrington: set on Sandown if conditions are rightCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Foley has always been a huge fan of Hotazhell and has been on board for all seven of his career outings, and he was very encouraged by his return to action behind Field Of Gold. 

"If there's a bit of cut in the ground he won't run like an outsider, I can guarantee you that," the rider said. 

"He's a talented colt with some good form and he ran really well in the Guineas. If he gets his conditions over at Sandown, I could see him running a big race. I wouldn't discount him."

It looks like it is going to be a sizzling Sandown mid-summer showpiece next month, with the now 128-rated Ombudsman favourite at 6-4. Hotazhell is 33-1 with the sponsors, but is 50-1 with bet365. 

Coral-Eclipse (Sandown, July 5)
Coral: 6-4 Ombudsman, 3 Sosie, 5 Camille Pissarro, 8 Calandagan, Delacroix, 10 Almaqam, Anmaat, 16 bar.

Read more here

Green Impact could reap ultimate reward for Marc Chan in Sunday's Irish Derby after his first foray into breeding 

Gary Carroll back in time to ride Cercene in Irish Oaks after receiving 14-day whip ban for Coronation Stakes-winning ride 

'He just keeps getting better' - Paddy Twomey planning Classic bid with his first Royal Ascot winner 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.