Hotazhell (11/1) edged out fellow Irish raider Delacroix to win a thrilling renewal of the William Hill Futurity Trophy at Doncaster.
The pair had the race between them from the moment the trailblazing Seaplane began to beat a retreat at the two furlong marker and the runner-up, sent off a well backed 15/8 favourite, lugged to his right.
He traded as low as 1/7 in-running on the Betfair Exchange but the Shane Foley-ridden winner refused to be intimidated and got past his rival, and then held of his late rally, by a nose.
It was four-and-three-quarter lengths back to Wimbledon Hawkeye (3/1) in third.
Betfair and Paddy Power cut the Jessica Harrington-trained Hotazhell to 25/1 from 33/1 for next year's Betfred 2000 Guineas.
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The winning rider told ITV Racing: "He's a very good, tough horse. We all thought he wanted a bit of slow ground but this was probably a bit too slow for him.
"He nearly bucked me off going down to the start but that's just him. We work hard every day and we've had a very good year but it's been a while since we had a Group One, it's a couple of years since the Oaks now, and they're important, to be coming and winning on these big days.
"And what a trainer that woman, Mrs Harrington, is. Kate is a big part of the team team, it's a big team effort and a lot goes on behind the scenes and she's a legend to work for and a legend to ride for,
"From a five furlong two-year-old race to a three mile novice hurdle at Cheltenham it doesn't really matter to her. I'm just in a privileged position. I had a hip replacement operation a couple of years ago and it's taken a while to get to full health again but I'm fighting fit now and have a good few years left in me."
Harrington added: "He's a smashing horse. He's very, very tough and loves a battle. I don't think he'll ever win races by large margins. He loves just looking at the other horses and saying 'I'm better than you'. He's a little bit feisty, he isn't called Hotazhell for nothing."
In terms of 2025 she said: "We'll start off over a mile and see how he develops over the winter. I think he'll probably get a mile-and-a-quarter, I'm not sure he'll get a mile-and-a-half but you never know. He's a very relaxed horse and he just might.
"It's very, very special today. To win any Group One or Grade One over jumps is special and it takes a special horse to do it."
Reaction from placed connections
O’Brien said of Delacroix: “He’s run a stormer. We hope that bodes well for next year."
James Owen said of Wimbledon Hawkeye: “He was lost in the ground. He showed his heart and how good he is in the way he battled on to finish third. James (Doyle) said it’s a lot softer here today than it was at Newmarket. He was struggling in it but he’s a lovely horse for next year. I’m thrilled to be here mixing it at the top and he’s done us proud.”
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