JESSICA Harrington is optimistic that Hotazhell will make his mark at Group 1 level in today’s William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster.

The Silverton Hill-owned colt has gone from strength to strength since his Curragh maiden win in June, going on to win the Group 3 Tyros Stakes and finishing second to Henri Matisse in the Futurity Stakes, before landing the Group 2 Beresford Stakes on his latest start. The Beresford Stakes has proven a successful stepping stone towards Futurity Trophy victor, with horses to have completed the double including Luxembourg (2021), Saxon Warrior (2017), Casamento (2010) and St Nicholas Abbey (2009).

“I’m looking forward to it,” Harrington told The Irish Field on Friday. “He’s done nothing wrong all year, I think he’s improved all year. I think he’ll like the ground which is going to be soft, looking at it today.

“I hope he’ll step forward from the last day. It’s a very good race and hopefully he’ll be competitive.”

Harrington has other chances of stakes success the following day, as Bay Of Sanibel and Curvature each contest Group 3 races at Saint-Cloud. The former lines up in the Group 3 Prix Belle de Nuit over a mile and six furlongs, having run well over course and distance last time out. She was beaten just a short neck for third in a listed race on that occasion.

She will be ridden by Shane Foley, as will Curvature in the Group 3 Prix de Flore over 10 and a half furlongs. The Newtown Anner Stud homebred tends to improve as the season progresses, her listed wins having come last time out and 12 months ago.