Trueshan too good in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup

QIPCO Long Distance Cup champion Trueshan landed more top honours in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup. He gave trainer Alan King a first Group 1 success on the flat with a comprehensive success on the Sussex Downs.

All the talk in the morning before the race concerned the participation of four-time winner Stradivarius. However, that rival was withdrawn with the ground deemed too soft.

This meant that Trueshan would go off favourite for the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup, and he did not disappoint his backers. It wasn’t all smooth sailing, however, as the horse pulled in fits and starts during the two mile contest.

His jockey Hollie Doyle however, guided him to a handy position and when entering the straight got first run on the rail. Away He Goes and Sir Ron Priestley did their best to maintain a challenge in the final two furlongs, and the former looked like he might make Trueshan work.

However, Trueshan’s class prevailed once his jockey got serious and he began to assert close home to win impressively.

Hollie Doyle was typically beaming after the race, saying: “He’s been on my mind since Champions Day.”

“Look at him, he’s an exceptionally talented animal on this ground