Hotazhell returns to his best for Group One delight in Munich

Hotazhell produced a fine front-running performance to hold off Timeforshowcasing to land the Group One Grosser Dallmayr-Preis – Bayerisches Zuchtrennen in Munich.

The four-year-old was a star juvenile for Jessica Harrington, winning the Tyros and Beresford Stakes in Ireland before finishing the campaign with Futurity Trophy success at Doncaster, where he accounted for Aidan O’Brien’s Delacroix.

Although the Too Darn Hot colt had struggled somewhat at the top table since that Town Moor victory, Hotazhell had some form from his two runs this season and took up the early running in the hands of Shane Foley, with Timeforshowcasing in hot pursuit as the pair continued to set a strong gallop as they hit the final bend.

Charlie Johnston’s charge pushed alongside Hotazhell at the front, but the leader did not give up and they passed the line stride for stride, with the Irish raider coming out on top by a nose.

George Scott’s new recruit Wimbledon Hawkeye left his challenge just too late as the race favourite flew down the outside to finish a half-length behind in third.

“He really got down and fought today,” said Harrington, recording her first Group One since that Doncaster triumph.

“He was really good and I’m really thrilled that he’s won another Group One. He’ll go forward from here.

“He’s a really tough and gutsy horse, it’s how he won the Futurity Trophy when you think about it. He wouldn’t give up and he just had an unfortunate year last year, a nearly year.

“It’s absolutely fantastic. We’ll come back and regroup and see where we go.”

Foley admitted it was not the plan to make the running as he secured his first Group One victory in Germany.

He said: “He was really good as a two-year-old and lost his way a little bit last year, but his two runs have been good.

“He’s coming back to himself so hopefully he can have a nice autumn, and thank god our head was in front at the right time.

“It wasn’t the plan to make the running, I went forward from my inside draw and I thought there wasn’t much pace in it and I ended up getting it very easy in front.

“They attacked me early in the straight, but this lad’s a fighter.”