Stradivarius, Trueshan Showdown in Prix du Cadran

The rematch is finally on after trainer Alan King confirmed Trueshan  will travel to France to take on Stradivarius  this weekend for the first time in nearly a year in the Oct. 2 Qatar Prix du Cadran (G1).

Britain's two best active stayers have been kept apart by the weather and unsuitable ground since the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup (G2) at Ascot last October.

Trueshan came out on top that day and confirmed his status as a high-class long-distance performer by giving King his first top-level success in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup (G1) in July.

However, Stradivarius, who was only 12th at Ascot, missed that race due to the soft ground, while his rival was withdrawn from intended clashes in the Gold Cup (G1), Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup (G2), and Doncaster Cup (G2) this season because the going was too quick.

The pair are now set to take each other on in the Cadran at Longchamp, though King stressed on Sept. 29: "I'm just concentrating on my horse. He leaves in the early hours of the morning and it looks as though he's going to get his ground, that's the most important thing."

James Doyle takes the mount for the first time in Saturday's 4000 meters (about 2 1/2 miles)-contest, after the unrelated Hollie Doyle failed to overturn a riding ban on appeal.

"It's unfortunate that Hollie can't ride but I'm sure we'll be fine," King added. "James is a good jockey.

"But Trueshan is not guaranteed to get two and a half miles. He's not been tested over it as he had to miss the Gold Cup and this is a different ball game.

"He's in great order and we'll see what happens but I'd have preferred it if it was two miles."

James Doyle, who can look forward to riding Hurricane Lane  for the first time in the Oct. 3 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), added of Trueshan: "He's an exciting ride. It's his first time at the trip so it's a bit unknown but he certainly stays the two miles well.

"It looks as though he'll get his ground, it's a very wet forecast, that's pleasing to see."

Stradivarius is a 5-2 favorite for the Cadran with Paddy Power, who make Trueshan an 11-4 shot and quote last year's winner Princess Zoe  at 3-1. The 6-year-old mare, though winless in four starts this year, was runner-up in the June 17 Gold Cup (G1) at Ascot, ahead of Stradivarius in fourth.