Stradivarius and Trueshan Spar in Lonsdale Cup

Stradivarius  bids to better the likes of Persian Punch, Celeric, and Further Flight by winning the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes (G2) Aug. 20 at York Racecourse for a record third time and his task may become easier with Trueshan 's participation in doubt.

The Bjorn Nielsen-owned homebred is 4-for-4 on the Knavesmire, having won the Matchbook Yorkshire Cup (G2) and Lonsdale Cup in 2018 and 2019, but was well beaten by Trueshan on their sole previous clash in last year's QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (G2) on end-of-season soft ground at Ascot.

While soft ground forced Stradivarius' withdrawal ahead of his bid for a fifth Goodwood Cup last month, York has been the one track where he has benefited from his perceived ideal conditions. His four course wins have come on good to firm ground and Friday's going description may not be too dissimilar.

John Gosden, joint-trainer with his son Thady, said: "Obviously it was very frustrating not to be able to run him in the Goodwood Cup, which is at a track he absolutely loves. We weren't able to do it, however, after they had 60mm of rain in the 24 hours beforehand.

"Stradivarius has been happy and seems to still have all of his enthusiasm, but obviously we're aware he's a year older."

The Newmarket joint-trainers are hoping for the pleasant weather at York to continue but Alan King would rather like some rain to fall.

A going description of good would be suitable for Trueshan, the mount of Hollie Doyle, to take his chance after his first top-level success at Goodwood.

King said on Thursday: "We've sent him up today but if it stays dry and goes to good to firm he won't run. He has very good form on good ground so we would run him on that, but we'll have to see what the jockeys say today and how the weather fares overnight. I'll be up there at lunchtime tomorrow to walk the course if necessary.

"We didn't want to take him out early and regret it if the ground is suitable. He's in great form and would have to have a very good chance if lining up."

Melbourne beckons for Honorable Earle Mack and Team Valor's Spanish Mission  after this but May's Yorkshire Cup (G2) scorer is another firmly in the mix after finishing third in the Gold Cup last time.

"We're hoping for a good show," said Team Valor's Barry Irwin of Spanish Mission. "The trip just stretched him a little in the Gold Cup – two miles is his limit, but he's good over that trip. This is his last race in England for the year, he'll be going into quarantine after York for a crack at the Caulfield Cup (G1) and Melbourne Cup (G1), which we've always thought would suit him."