Hollie Doyle's star horse and dual Group 1 winner Trueshan is poised to make an early comeback.
Alan King has next week's Listed Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes at Nottingham on the champion stayer's agenda. The six-year-old was steered to a Group 1 success in the Goodwood Cup by Doyle last season. The pair also combined when the top jockey became the first female in her profession to win on Champions Day at Ascot in 2020 – and followed up 12 months on. Trueshan also made a successful debut racing in France when he took the Prix du Cadran at Paris-Longchamp.
King is keen to send him back to the racecourse where he made his low key debut in 2018. Sixth of nine runners, he was ridden by Tom Marquand, who married Doyle last week. Trueshan then blossomed and is now ready to target the race the trainer claimed in 2011 with The Betchworth Kid.
“If the ground is suitable, we will probably get Trueshan started at Nottingham (on April 6). We will give him the entry and see what it is like, but it is certainly in the back of my mind," he said. “He has come to hand quite quickly and that’s why we are thinking of getting him out next week. He had two months out in a field after his last campaign but, touch wood, his preparation has gone well.
“I know this season he is standout horse in the division, but It is just great to have a horse like him in training. I just hope I don’t mess it up!”
Trueshan missed the Ascot Gold Cup in 2021 due to ground conditions, when he was scheduled to clash with Stradivarius. He defeated that rival twice since in his October races, including at the Berkshire track's end of season spectacular. The summer meeting is again pencilled in, as long as there is enough juice in the ground.
"I would love to have a go at the Gold Cup, but we would need the rain," King added. “If the rain comes then he will run there as he needs the ground to be right for him.
“Last year we were lucky that it rained at Goodwood, in France and back at Ascot. I’m sure we will get our ground on one of those big days again.”
