Trueshan Triumphs in Betfred Doncaster Cup

Trueshan bounced back in stunning style to win the Betfred Doncaster Cup under an inspired Hollie Doyle.

Following a four month break and wind surgery Trueshan was unsurprisingly very fresh when the stalls opened for Doncaster’s two miles and two furlong contest.

Having fought for his head for nearly a circuit due to a very sedate pace set by Broome, Doyle decided to give Trueshan the freedom to stride on. The complexion of the race immediately changed as the pair shot around the pack and grabbed the lead on the turn for home.

The pair then elected to come down the centre of the track on their own, while the chasing pack stuck to the inside rail.

Trueshan held a narrow advantage entering the final stages and although Sweet William and Rab Havlin momentarily took the lead, Trueshan battled back to eventually win by a decisive margin.

Speaking to ITV after the race, Doyle was pleasantly surprised by Trueshan’s return to form, “I had to resort to plan Z, really. It wasn’t ideal for him [the slow early pace] racing off a break like that. He’s a very fresh horse and they were going slower and slower. It could have been a race winning move or a race losing move and thankfully he was good enough to get away with it.

“All credit to Alan King – he’s some trainer to get this horse back from four months off the track. People were saying the horse had gone, but you have to heighten that performance, the way he has done it.”

Following this stunning comeback Trueshan will again target the Group 2 Long Distance Cup on QIPCO British Champions Day, Saturday October 21st. He and Doyle will be bidding to win the race for the fourth year running.