Tag Archive for: Trueshan

James Doyle in line to partner Cadran contender Trueshan

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James Doyle will be reunited with Trueshan in Saturday’s Prix du Cadran, with regular rider Hollie Doyle required at Newmarket for Nashwa.

Alan King’s eight-year-old is bidding for a third victory in the two-and-a-half-mile Group One and was partnered by James Doyle for the first of those in 2021 when Hollie Doyle was suspended.

Trueshan is arguably the horse with which Hollie Doyle made her name having won 11 times on him, including this race last year, the Goodwood Cup and three Long Distance Cups at Ascot on Champions Day.

However, due to being the retained rider for Nashwa’s owner Imad Alsagar, she will be in action in the Sun Chariot Stakes rather than at ParisLongchamp.

King said: “Trueshan is very well, he was scoped today and he works tomorrow, provided it all goes well he is on target for the Cadran again.

“We just need to tick a few boxes before saying it is definite.

“James Doyle will ride, we’ve had him on standby for some time as we had an idea Hollie might not be available.

“He’s won on him before so it was logical when we were looking at it.”

Kyprios returns to the ParisLongchamp winner's enclosure
Kyprios returns to the ParisLongchamp winner’s enclosure (PA)

Kyprios is also among the eight remaining entries, with just one contender trained in France.

Aidan O’Brien’s star stayer won the contest in remarkable circumstances in 2022 when, despite hanging across the track in the home straight, he came home 20 lengths clear.

After injury restricted him to just two outings last season, Kyprios has won each of his run races this year. O’Brien has also left in Continuous, who has the option of running in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and Point Lonsdale.

John and Thady Gosden’s Sweet William finally bagged a big prize at Doncaster last time out and could run, with Sir Mark Prescott’s Miss Cynthia and Andrew Balding’s Coltrane also in contention.

The only home-trained potential runner is Christophe Ferland’s Double Major.

William Haggas is searching for a third successive win in the Prix de Royallieu with Sea Theme.

Sea Silk Road after winning at ParisLongchamp
Sea Silk Road after winning at ParisLongchamp (Ashley Iveson/PA)

Sea La Rosa and Sea Silk Road have provided Haggas with Group One victories in a race that has not been won by a French-trained runner since 2017.

Henry de Bromhead’s Term Of Endearment, David Menuisier’s Caius Chorister and O’Brien’s Port Fairy are among 16 left in.

There are 11 left in the Prix Dollar, including Brian Meehan’s Jayarbee, the Owen Burrows-trained Anmaat and Ed Walker’s Almaqam.

Haggas’ Maljoom and Karl Burke’s Holloway Boy are among 13 in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein, while St Leger runner-up Illinois is one of 11 in the Prix Chaudenay.

There are supplementary entry stages for all races on Wednesday.



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Cadran calling for Trueshan following solid Doncaster effort

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Trueshan is likely to bid for a third victory in the Prix du Cadran at ParisLongchamp after finishing second in his defence of last week’s Doncaster Cup.

Alan King’s popular stayer has enjoyed another productive campaign, with victory in the Coral Marathon at Sandown followed by a fourth place finish in the Goodwood Cup.

Trueshan was ultimately no match for the three years younger Sweet William on Town Moor on Friday, but his trainer was pleased with performance and is now targeting a return to Paris for a two-and-a-half-mile Group One prize he first landed in 2021 before regaining his crown last season.

“We were away so I didn’t actually get to see it live, but I was very happy with the run (at Doncaster),” said the Barbury Castle handler.

“I haven’t seen him since, I’m back home today, but everyone seems very happy with him and I would imagine we’ll go for the Cadran.

“I think the winner (Sweet William) was probably pulling up in front, but there was no disgrace in Trueshan’s performance. It’s rock-solid form really, isn’t it?

“I would imagine Cadran is where we’ll go and I just hope Kyprios doesn’t go there!”

Alan King at York
Alan King at York (Mike Egerton/PA)

King will be keeping his fingers crossed Trueshan gets his favoured ease underfoot on Arc weekend, adding: “We were lucky the race was on the Saturday last year as we had nice, good ground and by Sunday it was proper good to firm.

“He seems to enjoy his trips over there, so all being well that’s where we’ll go.”

While his trainer is keen not to look beyond his next assignment, there is no suggestion the Cadran will be Trueshan’s swansong.

King said: “We’ll see how the Cadran goes. He’s obviously entered at Ascot on Champions Day and he’s also in the Prix Royal-Oak, but we’ll take it one race at a time.

“He’s not been over-raced this season and seems very fresh and well, so we’ll see.”



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Trueshan returns to top form with classy Sandown strike

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Trueshan served notice that he can still be a force in major staying events by stamping his class on the Coral Marathon at Sandown.

Alan King’s popular veteran has been a regular performer in all the top long-distance races over the past five years, winning a whole host of prestigious prizes – including a Goodwood Cup, a Doncaster Cup, two editions of the Prix du Cadran and three successive renewals of the Long Distance Cup.

And while the eight-year-old was beaten on his first two starts of the current campaign and missed the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot for the fourth season running due to unsuitable ground, he made the most of an ease in class with an emphatic display in Esher under his regular pilot Hollie Doyle.

After travelling with his usual zest for much of the two-mile Listed contest, 11-8 favourite Trueshan moved to the lead halfway up the home straight and the result was never really in doubt thereafter, with Night Sparkle getting closest but still beaten comfortably by two lengths.

Paddy Power reacted to the victory by cutting Trueshan’s Goodwood Cup odds to 14-1 from 25-1, but as usual, all future plans for King’s stable star will be ground and weather dependent.

King said: “I was actually out for lunch with a few owners, including Mr (Andrew) Gemmell. We just got back home and watched it and I’m thrilled.

“I hadn’t been disappointed with his two runs this year. He had to carry a penalty in the Sagaro Stakes and the Henry II and what a lot of people don’t seem to get is that a 7lb penalty for those two milers is a huge ask – I think it’s seven lengths over two miles.

“He hasn’t run badly at all, he probably needed a run or two to come on, but I was just so relieved to run him today because he’s been simmering away since Ascot and I thought if we didn’t run today, then we really are in trouble, so it’s lovely.

“On Wednesday morning I nearly wasn’t going to declare him, but Andrew Cooper (clerk of the course) said ‘I think you’re going to get your rain’, which I couldn’t see in the forecast, but thankfully he was right and they got six or seven millimetres this morning.

“I’ve got three and a half weeks until Goodwood and we can leave him alone next week now he’s had the run and build up to that.

“He ran very well in the Goodwood Cup a couple of years ago when he was third behind Kyprios and Stradivarius, so we’ll train him for that and see what happens.”

Hollie Doyle after winning the Coral Marathon with Trueshan
Hollie Doyle after winning the Coral Marathon with Trueshan (Steven Paston/PA)

Trueshan’s long-time rider was delighted to see one of her “favourites” return to winning form for the first time this season and paid tribute to King for the way he is able to maximise the eight-year-old’s longevity.

“It annoys me because he always used to get beat at Nottingham and everyone thinks he is gone, but he always comes back at some point and I never lose hope and never lost faith in him,” said Doyle.

“He’s obviously one of my favourites and I’ve been riding him for a good few years now and it’s great that racing fans can latch on to a horse like him.

“I think he was very grateful to be carrying 9st 2lb today instead of having a 7lb penalty on his back. I think he carries more weight on his back at home and he’s had a nice time of things.

“It was quicker ground than he’s used to and I just let him roll earlier than ideal probably, in case he got caught flat-footed, but he hit the line hard.

“Last year, I think people were questioning him and he went and won a Doncaster Cup after doing things completely the wrong way and then went on to win the Cadran and I think Alan does such a superb job with him. I know he gets some stick for pulling him out but he always does right by the horse.

“Hopefully he can pounce at the back-end of the season in the Cadran again and you have Doncaster and maybe Goodwood, so hopefully there is plenty more days in the sun.

“I know he’s been beaten a couple of times this year but he’s just been feeling so good and been carrying a bit more condition than usual, so once that comes off, he will be away!”



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Hollie Doyle has fingers crossed Trueshan finally gets to go for gold

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Hollie Doyle is willing the rain to fall over the coming days to give star stayer Trueshan the chance to finally line up in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

Alan King’s eight-year-old has won three times at Ascot over the course of his career, but with a preference for ease in the ground, a run at track’s summer highlight has so far eluded him due to on-the-day conditions – with his participation often a matter of discourse right up until the final hours before the week’s premier staying contest.

The most recent of Trueshan’s three Group One victories came at ParisLongchamp in the autumn where the popular gelding successfully followed up his Doncaster Cup success in the Prix du Cadran.

And despite only playing a minor role in his two appearances so far this term, Doyle would love the opportunity to build on her six Royal Ascot victories aboard a horse that has been a flagbearer of her career.

“I’m looking forward to hopefully riding Trueshan and I just hope the rain comes as he deserves to take his chance in the Gold Cup,” said Doyle.

“He’s been scratched every year so far and it would be great to see him have a run in it before the time comes.

Hollie Doyle will hopefully partner Trueshan in the Gold Cup
Hollie Doyle will hopefully partner Trueshan in the Gold Cup (Tim Goode/PA)

“I would like to think he would have a chance and a year or two ago he would almost be favourite, so we will see.

“I have plenty of other rides, but it just would be nice for Alan and connections to get Trueshan there, as every year we have him ready to go and have to scratch him on the day.

“I only want to ride him if it’s the right ground and right race and I wouldn’t want to just ride him for the sake of it, but let’s hope.”



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Caius Chorister seeking to further advertise staying credentials

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Caius Chorister is out to continue a good week for David Menuisier in the Chasemore Farm Henry II Stakes at Sandown on Thursday evening.

The five-year-old mare has improved out of all recognition since winning her first race off a mark of 53 in May 2022, but even so she took her form to a new level last time out.

She was narrowly denied by Coltrane in the Sagaro Stakes on her first run over two miles, seemingly crying out for the trip, and with the recent rain in her favour confidence in the camp is high following victory in the same Clive Washbourn colours for Devil’s Point in the German 2000 Guineas.

“She proved the other day that she can hold her own in the stayers’ division, she came out of the race well so I expect her to run another good race,” said Menuisier.

“Seemingly she is still improving and that is all credit to her, she’s unbelievable. Even in the Sagaro the other day I wasn’t sure what to expect, she absolutely stunned me.

“The owner was confident she would win! She’s truly unbelievable, such a superstar.

“Every time she steps up in trip she improves, she didn’t help herself by being fresh but she flew home.

“This time around the conditions are different and the others have had a run, Trueshan and Sweet William, so you would expect them to improve, but we won’t go there worrying too much about the opposition, we’ll just do what we can and hope that is enough to win.”

Alan King’s Trueshan still carries a Group One penalty which will make life difficult, while Robert Havlin, after picking up the Derby ride on Ambiente Friendly, partners Sweet William as usual for the Gosdens.

Prydwen won on All-Weather Finals Day
Prydwen won on All-Weather Finals Day (Richard Sellers/PA)

George Scott declared Prydwen, who has been a star on the all-weather recently, but the rain has scuppered his intention to run.

On an alternative target, he said: “He’s in the Northumberland Plate and the Gold Cup, but there’s nothing for him before either of those so it will be one or the other.”

Scott has also withdrawn Isle Of Jurra from the Chasemore Farm Brigadier Gerard Stakes. The four-year-old won four of his five races in Bahrain earlier in the year, but is another who needs better ground. He could be rerouted to the William Hill Festival Stakes at Goodwood on Friday.

Isle Of Jurra’s defection leaves four runners to contest the Brigadier Gerard in Royal Rhyme, Certain Lad, Elegancia and Miss Cantik.

Six two-year-olds are due to go to post in the Orbital Veterinary Services National Stakes, with Richard Hannon’s Hawaiian the favourite.

Dominic Ffrench Davis runs two in the unbeaten filly Enchanting Empress and the Wootton Bassett colt Reposado.

Dominic Ffrench Davis (right) runs two in the National Stakes
Dominic Ffrench Davis (right) runs two in the National Stakes (Nigel French/PA)

“She’s done nothing wrong. She’s a filly that I think is improving and I think she’ll improve again when she goes six furlongs,” said Ffrench Davis of Enchanting Empress.

“I think she’s the form horse to beat in the race and hopefully she’ll go very well.

“I don’t think cut in the ground will worry her, I don’t know how soft it’s going to get there but I think she’ll get six so if it makes it more of a test of stamina I don’t think it will worry her.

“The colt will improve again when he gets to run over six. We like him, he made lovely progress from his first to second run and I think he’s improved again.

“He might give the filly something to worry about. These two would be right up there with our better juveniles at the moment.”

Brocklesby winner Zminiature (Dylan Cunha) is also of interest, but Sonic Blue (Tom Dascombe) is a non-runner due the deteriorating ground conditions.



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Trueshan all set for ‘tough’ Sagaro return

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Alan King reports all is well with Trueshan ahead of his seasonal reappearance in the Longines Sagaro Stakes at Ascot, but admits carrying a Group One penalty will make things tough for his valiant veteran.

The eight-year-old has to concede weight all round as a result of following up last September’s Doncaster Cup triumph with an elite-level success in the Prix du Cadran at ParisLongchamp later the same month.

Having finished only fourth behind the reopposing Coltrane on level terms in this race 12 months ago, King’s concerns are understandable, especially as that old rival and the Hughie Morrison-trained Quickthorn are currently rated 1lb superior on official ratings.

However, Trueshan’s home work and the recent rain in Berkshire do give more cause for optimism.

“I do think he probably needs a personal best, as there are two horses rated above him and he has to give them 7lb,” said King.

“He’s in great form and Hollie (Doyle) rode him work at home on Saturday morning. I’m not sure she has ever ridden him work at home, but she came in and she was delighted with him.

Betfred St Leger Festival – Doncaster Cup Day – Doncaster Racecourse
Trueshan ridden by Hollie Doyle (left) winning the Doncaster Cup (Tom Goode/PA).

“The forecast is encouraging and he’s ready to start. Conceding weight to Hughie’s horse and Coltrane will be tough, but it’s a nice starting point.”

Last year, Trueshan kicked off his campaign with a narrow reversal to Rajinsky at Nottingham, but the abandoned Further Flight Stakes was never on the table this season, with the gelding given a wind-op this spring.

King added: “We had done his wind a week or so before, so we couldn’t have taken him to Nottingham anyway.

“We did it last year and the soft palate is something you can probably do annually with some horses. Although I had no inclination there is a problem, we just had it done again.”

Coltrane followed up an emphatic victory in last season’s renewal by finishing a fine second to Courage Mon Ami in the Ascot Gold Cup and benefits from his Lonsdale Cup victory over that horse at York falling just before the end-of-August cut-off point for penalties here.

Andrew Balding’s seven-year-old must put a below-par effort in the Dubai Gold Cup behind him, but regular rider Oisin Murphy is hoping the fitting of cheekpieces will inspire a return to form.

He told Sky Sports Racing: “Coltrane disappointed in Dubai but horses can do that. He’s been a great servant and had a terrific year last year, obviously winning this race.

“He’s been working well and he’ll wear cheekpieces, which might just help him take the bridle. I’m looking forward to getting back on him and as long as he stays healthy and is enjoying it, there’s no doubt he can get back to the level he was at.”

John and Thady Gosden’s Sweet William progressed through the ranks last term, completing a hat-trick in handicap company at Glorious Goodwood before finishing a rock-solid second to Absurde in the Ebor at York and then chasing home Trueshan at Doncaster.

“He’s in great form,” said Gosden senior. “He’s the ultimate character and he’s a lot of fun. He just got pipped off in the Ebor and we’re looking forward to running him in the Sagaro.

Qatar Goodwood Festival 2023 – Day Five – Goodwood Racecourse
Sweet William winning at Goodwood (Andrew Matthews/PA).

“He stays well and he’s one of those enigmatic horses who is fun to train. He’ll handle soft no problem, as he did at Goodwood that day.”

Quickthorn was given an enterprising ride by Tom Marquand when making all to win last season’s Goodwood Cup by six lengths from Emily Dickinson and Coltrane.

The line-up is completed by David Menuisier’s Caius Chorister, who was last seen scoring in Group Three company at Saint-Cloud in October on very soft ground.



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Trueshan seeking fabulous Long Distance four-timer

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Alan King is under no illusions about the task facing Trueshan as he prepares to lock horns with the formidable Kyprios in his bid for a fourth victory in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup.

Trueshan was a brilliant winner of the Champions Day curtain-raiser in 2020 and has knuckled down in each of the past two seasons to complete the hat-trick.

There were some suggestions the seven-year-old was past his best after he was beaten in his first two starts this year, but subsequent victories in the Doncaster Cup and particularly when winning the Prix du Cadran three weeks ago suggest he is back to his best.

King said: “I’m very happy with him, he came out of the Cadran in great form and everything has gone according to plan really.

“The ground looks like it should be nice and soft and we can’t do any more.

“Not many horses get to come back for the same race three years running, let alone four, and getting him back to form to win at Doncaster and Longchamp has been very satisfying.”

While confident he has his stable star in rude health, King is wary of the the threat posed by Aidan O’Brien’s Kyprios, who last season won the Gold Cup, the Goodwood Cup and the Irish St Leger before a scarcely believable 20-length demolition job in the Cadran.

Alan King has done a great job with Trueshan
Alan King has done a great job with Trueshan (David Davies/PA)

The five-year-old missed the first half of the current campaign through injury, but King feels there was plenty of promise on his comeback second to Eldar Eldarov in last month’s Irish Leger.

He added: “I thought he ran very well against a mile-and-six specialist the other day. That is Eldar Eldarov’s trip and I would have thought that was a very good comeback for him (Kyprios).”

Hollie Doyle has steered Trueshan to each of his three previous wins in the race is optimistic he can make it a four-timer on Saturday.

“He’s been such a great horse for everyone – for me, for Alan, for the owners and for the whole team at home. He never lets anyone down,” she said.

Trueshan and Hollie Doyle are a match made in heaven
Trueshan and Hollie Doyle are a match made in heaven (Tim Goode/PA)

“He’s staged quite a comeback this year and proved a lot of people wrong by winning the Doncaster Cup and the Prix du Cadran again.

“A fourth win here would be incredible, but it could definitely happen as he feels as good as ever.”

O’Brien is confident Kyprios will take a big step forward from his Irish St Leger effort, telling Sky Sports Racing: “He was barely ready to go away for a racecourse gallop really, so we were delighted with the run and everything has gone smoothly since.

“He has an incredible capacity as a stayer. He’s able to go an unbelievable gallop and just keeps going. That was what happened in the Cadran last year – it just shows the kind of ability he has.”

Andrew Balding’s Coltrane was beaten a head by Trueshan 12 months ago, but failed to fire when a hot favourite to beat him in the Doncaster Cup last month.

Coltrane winning the Lonsdale Cup at York
Coltrane winning the Lonsdale Cup at York (Simon Marper/PA)

Balding said: “Coltrane ran a hell of a race last year. It was a rare poor race (he ran) last time, and nothing came to light afterwards, but he’s entitled to run a poor one once in a while.”

John Gosden was forced to rule out his Gold Cup hero Courage Mon Ami earlier in the week but is nevertheless well represented, with Robert Havlin partnering Doncaster Cup runner-up Sweet William and Frankie Dettori aboard Trawlerman, winner of his last two starts.

“It looks like a good edition of the Long Distance Cup, in which Trawlerman and Sweet William are our runners, as Courage Mon Ami had a little niggle,” said Gosden.

“Trawlerman ran in the Long Distance Cup last year, finishing third, and he’s been an easy winner of both his races since he came back, at Salisbury and Newmarket. He’s in good form.”

O’Brien’s second-string Broome, the Willie Mullins-trained Stratum and Maxident from the Dominic Ffrench Davis yard complete the line-up.



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Trueshan and Hollie Doyle unstoppable in Prix du Cadran

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Trueshan galloped to a peerless victory under Hollie Doyle in the Qatar Prix du Cadran at ParisLongchamp.

Alan King’s popular gelding first landed the marathon contest from Stradivarius in 2021 and was well-fancied to win again in a field of six, having made a winning return after a break in the Doncaster Cup.

Sent off the 6-5 favourite, he led the way throughout from Frankie Dettori and Emily Dickinson, and when asked to quicken in the home straight he was easily able to pull clear of his rivals to secure an easy win from Moon Wolf and Run For Oscar.

King, who did not make the journey to Paris, said: “I had a busy morning at home and I’ve just walked into Newmarket, but obviously I’m thrilled.

“I spoke to Hollie this morning and we thought there wasn’t going to be much pace in the race. We said if that was the case we’d let him bowl along in front and he obviously loved it.

“He was more settled than he was at Doncaster and I think that was firstly because that run just knocked the freshness off him and second he just settled well in front today.

“We were struggling with him in the early part of the year, but the little wind operation we gave him as clearly helped and it looks like he’s right back to his best.”

Next on Trueshan’s agenda is a bid for a fourth consecutive victory in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot on October 21.

“The good thing is we have a fresh horse for the backend of the season and obviously we hope to go back to Ascot in three weeks’ time to win that race for a fourth time,” King added.

“I’ll give him an entry in the Prix Royal-Oak the following week just in case he needs that extra time, but Ascot would be the plan.”

Doyle has now partnered Trueshan to 10 victories – and while he looked past his best after being beaten in his first two starts of 2023, the jockey feels he is now at the peak of his powers.

“He’s a special horse and all credit to everyone at Barbury Castle. He’s trained by a super trainer and it’s great for Alan to get him back to where he is, winning the Cadran for a second time,” she said.

“I was a little worried about the ground, but he got into a beautiful rhythm. My mum and dad are here and I don’t think my dad has seen me ride a Group One winner, so it’s extra special.

“I was disappointed at Doncaster, to be honest. I didn’t get a sense of happiness like I had today because to me he did it the wrong way round at Doncaster, whereas today he was foot perfect.”

Hollie Doyle with Trueshan and part-owner Andrew Gemmell
Hollie Doyle with Trueshan and part-owner Andrew Gemmell (PA)

Trueshan is part-owned by Andrew Gemmell, who was similarly thrilled.

He said: “It’s fantastic, I was a bit worried about the ground but he seemed to cope with it well.

“Hollie is a star and gets on so well with the horse. I’m just absolutely delighted. To win this race twice on ground that we weren’t sure about is brilliant.

“It’s great for Hollie, she didn’t have to press the accelerator too much did she? Let’s hope he can do it again in three weeks’ time at Ascot as that will be the fourth time he’s won that race.”



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King plotting Cadran challenge for resurgent Trueshan

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Alan King is keen to see Trueshan bid for a second win in the Qatar Prix du Cadran next week following his return to winning ways in the Doncaster Cup.

The seven-year-old had looked a shadow of his former self after being beaten in his first two starts of the campaign, but a mid-season wind operation appears to have done the trick judged on his resurgent performance under Hollie Doyle last Friday.

King said: “He did quite a lot wrong because he was so fresh. Surprised (by the win) I’m not so sure, but it was a certainly a relief more than anything.

“Obviously the wind op has helped big time. In his previous two races he hadn’t finished off at all so we were hoping it would make a difference, but you always want to see them go and do it on the track.

“We were delighted with him, I don’t know how strong the piece of form was but it certainly was a huge step to getting back towards his best.”

King has the option of waiting for the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot on October 21, a race Trueshan has won each of the past three seasons.

However, the Barbury Castle handler is first aiming to send his seven-year-old back to Paris for a Group One contest in which he memorably defeated Stradivarius in 2021.

Hollie Doyle after steering Trueshan to success at Doncaster
Hollie Doyle after steering Trueshan to success at Doncaster (Tim Goode/PA)

He added: “I’m going to try to get him to the Cadran. I’m away this week, but the boys at home seem pretty happy with him. He’s had two or three days on the water treadmill, which he loves.

“He will be back cantering at the end of the week, we’ll be doing a bit of work early next week and if everyone is happy, he’ll head to France.

“We did do the Cadran and Ascot a couple of years ago when there was only a fortnight between them and there’s three weeks this time, which gives me a bit more of a chance.

“We’ll go one stage at a time, but if I’m happy with him he’ll head to Longchamp.”

King raised the intriguing possibility of Trueshan pursuing a career over hurdles following his defeats at Nottingham and Ascot in the spring, but those plans have been shelved for the time being.

He said: “I would hope that if he runs well at Longchamp or Ascot or both then he won’t be going jumping.”



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Trueshan tops Doncaster Cup rivals under inspired Doyle ride

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Trueshan lit up Doncaster as he returned to his best to register a remarkable success in the Betfred Doncaster Cup Stakes.

Retirement appeared to be looming when the seven-year-old disappointed earlier in the season, but given a wind operation and a 135-day summer break, Alan King’s charge roared back to form on Town Moor.

Victory looked unlikely in the early stages of the Group Two contest as Trueshan refused to settle for Hollie Doyle, travelling keenly when held-up behind the steady early pace set by Ryan Moore aboard Broome.

Doyle allowed her mount to stride on approaching the turn for home and it proved to be a race-winning move from the rider as the long-distance veteran powered his way to the head of affairs.

With the rest of the field remaining glued to the inside rail, Trueshan set sail solo up the centre of the track, before edging his way across to battle John and Thady Gosden’s Sweet William who had emerged from the pack to lay down a stern challenge.

Trueshan, however, would not be denied and he stormed to the line to win by a length and a quarter.

Paddy Power and Betfair now make the 100-30 scorer a 5-1 shot to win the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup for a fourth straight year at Ascot on October 21.

Doyle said: “That was definitely not Plan A! It’s not the first time he’s given me a rodeo either, but he can still win because he’s so superior. He’s back to his best. To do it that way round he must be.

“He actually can settle beautifully if he can use himself but I just needed him on a stride. The thing today was we were going a pedestrian pace and it was breaking his stride, so when you are on a big horse like that I just let him bowl along and it was going to be make or break.

“He’s the kind of horse that when you let him have that bit of rein and use himself, he then doesn’t go anywhere!

“I had walked the track and spoken to the clerk of the course who told me that the better ground was up the middle. Obviously that was a risk because we raced on it yesterday but it worked out OK.

Hollie Doyle rode an inspired race on Trueshan
Hollie Doyle rode an inspired race on Trueshan (Tim Goode/PA)

“The wind op has definitely helped. At Ascot earlier this year, we hacked around and he curled up a furlong and a half out whereas today he proved he’s back to his best.

“I dread to think what Alan was saying on the way round, he was probably cursing, but thankfully it all worked out.

“I love him to bits. I rode him on his second ever run so I’ve been on him a while now, thankfully I haven’t been jocked off yet!”



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Trueshan back in action for Coltrane Cup rematch

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Alan King expects Trueshan to improve for his comeback run in the Betfred Doncaster Cup.

The seven-year-old has been a fantastic servant to his connections, with three editions of the Long Distance Cup at Ascot, a Goodwood Cup and the Prix du Cadran featuring on his big-race CV.

His well-documented preference for an ease in the ground meant that for the third year in succession he missed the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in June and King subsequently opted to give his star stayer a wind operation and a midsummer break in the hope he could bounce back to his best in the autumn.

Friday’s Group Two feature will be Trueshan’s first outing since finishing fourth in Ascot’s Sagaro Stakes in May behind a familiar foe in Coltrane, who also beat him in this race 12 months ago and is again in opposition.

“We’ve got to get him started, he’s been off a long time,” said King.

“We gave him a break after Ascot and he’s ready to start back. I think whatever he does he’s going to come on plenty for it, but I just felt with the rain coming it was worth getting a run into him.

“It’s his first run for a while and his first run since a wind op and sometimes they just need a couple of runs to give them their confidence back.

“I’m happy with him at home and I just want to see him run well.”

Trueshan again holds an entry in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup on October 21, while a return to Paris for the Prix du Cadran at the end of this month could also be on his agenda.

Alan King is more hopeful than confident ahead of Trueshan's return
Alan King is more hopeful than confident ahead of Trueshan’s return (David Davies/PA)

An intriguing switch to hurdles has also been mooted by King, but the Barbury Castle handler is keen to get his return out of the way before committing to future plans.

He added: “That (Cadran) is the plan, but let’s see how we go on Friday first.”

Andrew Balding expects the ultra-consistent Coltrane to run his usual solid race.

He said: “Coltrane is a real yard favourite and he has had a great season already. He won the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot, he was then second in the Ascot Gold Cup, he ran very well at Goodwood and obviously won the Lonsdale Cup at York last time out.

“The great thing about him is he seems to be effective on any ground and in any sort of style of race, which is a big help for these stayers.

“He obviously won the race last year, but he does carry a penalty this year which makes life a lot tougher.

“If Trueshan is anywhere near his best he will be a very tough opponent and Sweet William is an improving horse as well. It is not a straightforward task, but the horse is really well and he seems to thrive on his racing.”

Sweet William completed a hat-trick of wins earlier in the season for John and Thady Gosden before filling the runner-up spot behind Absurde when favourite for the Ebor last month.

Robert Havlin has been ever present in the saddle during Sweet William’s seven-race career to date and is looking forward to seeing him step up in class for this Qipco British Champions Series contest.

Sweet William winning at Newbury
Sweet William winning at Newbury (Adam Davy/PA)

He said: “Sweet William is probably my best horse this year as he’s won three times and never been out of the first two. We think there’s more improvement to come and we think he might make up into an Ascot Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup type of horse next year.

“Since we put blinkers on he’s been ultra consistent. It was obviously another great run in the Ebor, but I was gutted when Frankie (Dettori, on Absurde) got back up after I’d headed him.

“He’s won over two miles and the Ebor was obviously a drop back in trip. He gets the trip well so there are a lot of positives, especially after all the rain.

“He doesn’t need soft ground, but he handles it very well.”

Aidan O’Brien’s Broome and the Ian Williams-trained The Grand Visir complete the five-strong field.



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Trueshan to enjoy break before autumn targets come into focus

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Alan King is preparing Trueshan for an autumn campaign after missing Royal Ascot for the third year in succession, with an eventual switch to hurdling still being “seriously considered”.

While victories in the Goodwood Cup, the Prix du Cadran and two wins in the Long Distance Cup have cemented Trueshan’s status as a top-class stayer, aspirations to bid for Gold Cup glory at the Royal meeting have now been scuppered by unsuitable conditions in each of the past three seasons.

King has resisted the temptation to enter his stable star for this year’s Goodwood Cup on August 1, instead electing to give him a mid-season break before sending him back to France in October.

Trainer Alan King at Newbury
Trainer Alan King at Newbury (David Davies/PA)

“He’s fine and he’s going to have a break now, I didn’t even enter him for the Goodwood Cup. We’re just going to give him a little break for a few weeks and then train him for the autumn,” said the Barbury Castle handler.

“We’ll probably train him for the Cadran again and then possibly Ascot on Champions Day or the Prix Royal-Oak, depending on how he is.

“If you keep on going all summer you’re praying for rain and I’d rather just give him the time now.

“No doubt Goodwood will probably come up soft to heavy and I’ll be kicking myself, but that’s the decision we made.”

Trueshan has been a beaten favourite in each of his two starts so far this season, since when he has undergone wind surgery.

It was in the immediate aftermath of his most recent defeat in Ascot’s Sagaro Stakes that King raised the intriguing possibility of sending him over obstacles at some stage, and it remains on the cards.

King said: “We’ll see how we get on come the autumn, but it will certainly be seriously considered.

“Giving him the break now helps in that regard too because otherwise you keep going all summer and all winter, which is difficult.”

HMS President (left) finishing second at Royal Ascot
HMS President (left) finishing second at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Despite Trueshan’s absence King still saddled three runners at Royal Ascot, with both Tritonic and HMS President picking up minor honours.

Tritonic finished a creditable third in the two-and-a-half-mile Ascot Stakes, while HMS President was beaten just a neck into second place by Okita Soushi in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes.

Outlining future plans for the duo, King added: “Tritonic will go to Goodwood for the two-and-a-half-mile race, I think it’s on the Friday, and there’s a possibility HMS President will go to Newmarket next week over a mile and six (furlongs).

“After that hopefully he might go for the Ebor. He’s rated 101 now and that rating has got in for the last two or three years, I think. It’s going to be tight, but hopefully he might get in.”



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King on weather watch for Gold Cup contender Trueshan

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Alan King will send at least three runners to Royal Ascot next week, with big gun Trueshan ready to fire in the Gold Cup, should there be sufficient cut in the ground.

With the current spell of hot weather expected to break down over the next few days, the Barbury Castle handler is “hopeful” the three-time Ascot Long Distance Cup winner can bounce back from a seven-length Sagaro defeat by Coltrane, who heads next Thursday’s showpiece event over two and a half miles.

The dual Group One winner Trueshan will be hoping to make it third time lucky in the race after being declared a non-runner in the last two renewals on account of unsuitable ground.

“We will have to hope for a few thunderstorms,” said King. “He needs to get his toe in, as we all know. It is an open Gold Cup and we’ll keep an eye on the weather and see what happens.”

Tritonic will try two and a half miles for the first time on the Flat when he lines up in the Ascot Stakes.

Runner-up in the 10-furlong Golden Gates in 2020, he subsequently won a juvenile hurdle and a Grade Three handicap hurdle at the Berkshire track.

He has only been out of the frame in once in four runs at Ascot, when fourth, beaten just over seven lengths by Quickthorn, in the heavy-ground Duke of Edinburgh in 2021.

King said: “Three will run at the meeting for us anyway.

“Tritonic will run in the Ascot Stakes. Whether he wants that trip I don’t know, but we thought we’d go that route and learn. If he ran there, you’d have to try to train him for a Cesarewitch or something.”

There is plenty of confidence behind eight-year-old Raymond Tusk, who would also appreciate some easy ground when he lines up in the Copper Horse Handicap, the final race on Tuesday’s card.

King said: “He ran in it last year. He was only beaten four lengths, finishing seventh.

“The old boy is in really good form. Obviously, we’d like a drop of rain for him, but it was fast last year and I hope he will run a really nice race again.”

HMS President had a string of runner-up efforts in decent handicaps last year for Eve Johnson Houghton.

HMS President (right) won at Newmarket last time
HMS President (right) won at Newmarket last time (Nigel French/PA)

Now with King, the HP Racing colours were carried to success on his second start for King, when taking a valuable handicap at Newmarket, having finished runner-up in the Rosebery at Kempton on his stable debut and seasonal bow.

“He’s shown he has been pretty consistent last year and is trip versatile,” said King. “It was nice to see him get his head in front at Newmarket.

“We have a small team, but we’re looking forward to the meeting, as always.”



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Trueshan back at Ascot with something to prove

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Alan King feels Trueshan has tightened up since his surprise defeat on his seasonal debut and is keen to see how a rematch with his Nottingham conqueror Rajinsky plays out in the Longines Sagaro Stakes.

With the usual proviso about soft ground dictating plans for the rest of the season, there is sufficient cut in the ground to enable King to run his star stayer in the Group Three contest on Royal Ascot Trials Day for the first time.

Trueshan, winner of the Prix du Cadran in 2021, signed off last season with a third success in the British Champions Long Distance Cup, beating Coltrane by a head.

The pair meet again on similar terms, although King’s charge has yet to be beaten at Ascot.

Trueshan returns to the same course and distance on the back of a season-opening defeat by Hugo Palmer’s Rajinsky by half a length at Colwick Park.

King said: “I don’t think anything went wrong at Nottingham aside from he didn’t win. He just got a bit tired on that very deep ground.

“He looks to have tightened up and has worked very well since, so we’ll see what happens on Wednesday.

“He has always got beaten the odd time here and there but on the whole he is very consistent.

“It is a good, tight race, a quality race, and it will be interesting. We’re happy this end, and hoping for a good show.”

Trueshan, who will be ridden by Hollie Doyle as usual, has yet to see his colours lowered at Ascot in three previous visits.

With last season’s Gold Cup winner Kyprios suffering a setback, one of the best stayers in several years may not be ready in time to defend his title.

However, King insists Trueshan will only run at the Royal meeting should there be ease in the ground.

“He is always ground dependent,” he added. “He can only go where there is a bit of soft in the ground. Even good ground is too quick for him these days.

“Let’s get this out of the way. We have entered him for the Gold Cup this morning, but his whole programme revolves round the weather.”

Trueshan’s Nottingham conqueror Rajinsky takes him on again instead of lining up in next week’s Chester Cup, but Harry Davies’ mount is worse off at the weights this time.

Palmer said: “He produced a career-best last time and he is going to need to improve on that this time, not least for the fact that he meets Trueshan on 2lb worse terms.

“But the horse goes well at Ascot and we’ve been happy with him since, although these are very deep waters.”

Like Trueshan, Rajinsky has been handed a Gold Cup entry and is similarly ground-dependent.

“The Gold Cup entries closed on Tuesday, and we have put him in,” added Palmer. “The horse needs soft ground and I am slightly worried about the ground’s ability to dry out at Ascot.

“I’m worried about this week, but we’ve seen Ascots where it has been bottomless at the Royal meeting and if we’ve got a soft-ground Royal Ascot, he’d definitely be worth taking his chance, because I think there would be a chance that he’d say further.”

Kevin Philippart De Foy could send El Habeeb stateside for his next outing, should he run well.

The four-year-old, who signed off his Classic campaign with victory in the Listed Noel Murless at Ascot over two furlongs shorter, ran well in defeat on his first try over two miles in Dubai in March.

El Habeeb and Andrea Atzeni return to the scene of their Noel Murless success
El Habeeb and Andrea Atzeni return to the scene of their Noel Murless success (Adam Davy/PA)

The strapping son of Al Rifai could then return to run in the Gold Cup.

“He filled out well over the winter and should have come on for his run in Dubai,” said Philippart De Foy.

“This will be the most competitive race he’s run in and you have some true Group One horses in the race, but we are happy with the way his preparation has been and the horse is in a good place.

“The good to soft ground should be perfect and it will be interesting to see him against that kind of company, and we will have a better idea of what we do going forward.

“Winning will be difficult, but if we can be placed that would be great. After that, there is a nice race at Belmont in early June, a two-mile race for four-year-olds, that could suit him.

“He travelled very well to Dubai and put weight on once he got there. If he ran well, we would have to consider coming back for the Gold Cup – at the moment he would have to improve a fair bit to take part in the Gold Cup. This will tell us a bit more.”



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King outlines Trueshan worry after Nottingham defeat

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Alan King is worried Trueshan could have been in one too many battles having finished only second on his reappearance in Nottingham’s Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes.

A winner of 13 of his 22 starts, the dual Group One scorer used the Colwick Park Listed contest as his starting point 12 months ago and was the 4-9 favourite to defend his crown and make a winning return.

However, having travelled smoothly into contention at the three-furlong pole, he could not get past Hugo Palmer’s Rajinsky, leaving the Barbury Castle handler to ponder if his star stayer has gone to the well once too often – with his next outing potentially proving crucial.

He said: “I’m very disappointed. He hasn’t run a bad race, but it was disappointing.

“Hollie thought she would win three out but knew she was beat two out.

“I just worry he has had a lot of very hard battles and just worry it is starting to leave its mark on him mentally. That’s what worries me more than anything, but we will know more after his next race.

“He will have to step forward from that and I’m not even sure where we would go.

“I would be a liar if I said I wasn’t disappointed, I’m very disappointed and I am concerned about whether he is a little bit mentally scarred these days.”

Trueshan ran only five times last year due to the quick summer ground, winning the Northumberland Plate but having to settle for third behind Kyprios in the Goodwood Cup before being beaten a neck in the Doncaster Cup.

He rounded off the year with a third Long Distance Cup verdict on Champions Day at Ascot, but King said: “He’s had some brutally hard races.

“Goodwood we jarred him up and we got him back for Doncaster but he then had another hard, deep race. He ran terribly well at Goodwood, but at Doncaster he was remembering that and didn’t let himself down. We got him back for Ascot but that was a gruelling race as well.”

Trueshan (left) had to battle for success on Champions Day
Trueshan (left) had to battle for success on Champions Day (John Walton/PA)

When asked if race fitness played its part on reappearance, King added: “He has worked awfully well and we don’t weigh them, but we had to go for an extra long girth to get round him today – he looked really big and powerful.

“He was having a nice blow without an excessive one and I don’t want to use that as an excuse, but the next race will tell us a lot.”

Despite his defeat, Trueshan is still the 11-2 favourite, pushed out from 9-2, with Coral for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, with Kyprios a doubt to defend his title.



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