Trueshan heads 48 entries in a bid to win fourth successive Long Distance Cup

A repeat of last year’s exciting finish to the opening race of QIPCO British Champions Day is on course with Trueshan and Coltrane, separated by a head, featuring among the 48 entries for the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup.

Trueshan and Hollie Doyle, who will be aiming to make it four wins in a row in the race, have become part of the QIPCO British Champions Day furniture since their runaway first success when Derby winner Serpentine and Stradivarius trailed in their wake three years ago.

The plan is to go for the Cadran again and then hopefully for his fourth win in the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup

Trainer Alan King said on this year’s entry: “We took the view after the Sagaro at Ascot in May (fourth behind Coltrane) to give him a break and not keep him on the go like last year, waiting for his ground and not getting it.

“It’s been frustrating watching the weather turn in his favour last week. The plan is to go for the Cadran again on September 30 and then hopefully for his fourth win in the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup.

“He won both two years ago when there was only two weeks between them and there is three weeks this time and he has had his wind done. I just hope we don’t get an Indian summer now!”

Trueshan still needs two more race wins to match Further Flight’s record in what was previously known as the Jockey Club Cup, as the popular grey won the then Group 3 run at Newmarket from 1991 to 1995.

Coltrane’s trainer Andrew Balding is relishing a rematch with old rival Trueshan, having bested him in last year’s Doncaster Cup and this year’s Sagaro Stakes at Ascot.

“He didn’t have the ideal trip through the race last year,” said the Kingclere trainer. 

“But Trueshan would have beaten him however he had been ridden that day. Coltrane has shown he likes Ascot and we will give it another go.”

Frankie hoping for dream start on final European Racecourse appearance

John Gosden and Frankie Dettori have won the race twice in its Ascot lifetime with Flying Officer (2015) and Stradivarius, the Ascot Gold Cup holder in 2018.

Gosden, now joint trainer with his son Thady, has entered this year’s Ascot Gold Cup winner Courage Mon Ami and Queen’s Vase winner Gregory as well as last year’s third Trawlerman.

Thady Gosden said: “Both Courage Mon Ami and Gregory have progressed well as stayers this year. Courage Mon Ami just couldn’t handle the ground at Goodwood.”

Quickthorn, who romped away so impressively with the Goodwood Cup last week, is also entered, along with the previous Goodwood Cup winner in Kyprios.

The latter has not been seen since his unbeaten 2022 which included the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, Goodwood Cup and Prix du Cadran. He is one of 14 entries for the race from Aidan O’Brien, who has won the race three times with Fame And Glory (2011), Order of St George (2017) and Kew Gardens (2019).

Champion Irish jumps trainer Willie Mullins has entered Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban, who has also won three Grade 1s over hurdles, and Absurde, who finished first and second in the Copper Horse Handicap over course and distance at the Royal Meeting.