THE Coral-Eclipse is now Hotazhell’s favoured target after connections elected to sidestep a trip to Royal Ascot with the Futurity Trophy victor who finished a fine third on his seasonal reappearance in the Irish 2000 Guineas.

Speaking to The Irish Field on Thursday, trainer Jessica Harrington’s daughter and assistant Kate Harrington explained: “The rain has come good today, but we felt it wasn’t going to get soft enough for him [at Ascot], so we’re going to look at options elsewhere, probably the Eclipse. It looks a very good renewal of the St James’s Palace.”

The Silverton Hill Partnership-owned colt was beaten four and a half lengths by Field Of Gold last month, separating Cosmic Year and Rashabar, who both benefitted from recent runs. Reflecting on the Too Darn Hot colt’s performance, Kate Harrington commented: “We were over the moon with him and he’s come on a tonne from the race.”

On how he’s come out of the race, Kate continued: “Really well, we couldn’t be happier with him. Shane [Foley] worked him on Tuesday and was delighted with him.

“We’ll keep all options open. He does have an entry in the Irish Derby as well as the Eclipse. Then there’s the Prix Eugene Adam, which is a Group 2 over 10 furlongs but he wouldn’t have a Group 1 penalty in it. So, he has all those options, but we’ll just go wherever there isn’t firm in the ground description.”