Trueshan Bids for a Third Long Distance Cup Trophy

What to make of Trueshan ? Turn the clock back four months and he was the outstanding stayer of his generation having carried 10st 8lb to victory in the Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate Handicap Stakes at Newcastle. However, that title now resides with Kyprios , and Trueshan's form has taken a quick downward turn.

According to Racing Post Ratings, he was 8lb below his best when a length and a half behind Kyprios in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes (G1), while his latest display at Doncaster was even more lackluster.

Trueshan was defeated a neck by Coltrane , who he had beaten by more than three lengths at Goodwood, in the Coral Doncaster Cup Stakes (G2) with Lismore  only a short head behind in third. When you consider that Lismore was rated 105 and Trueshan 124, that shows how far he had fallen.

Alan King blamed the ground at Goodwood for his poor run at Doncaster, suggesting that Trueshan was remembering his run on unsuitably quick conditions on the South Downs and therefore didn't let himself down properly in the Doncaster Cup. He certainly wandered so maybe that is true.

It's also possible that, given he carried so much weight in the Northumberland Plate, he had a harder race than originally thought. Whatever the explanation, he has a bit to prove now.

"He needed a break from the weather gods, and everyone at Barbury was delighted to wake up on Thursday morning to news from Ascot that 4.2mm of rain had fallen overnight," trainer Alan King said of Trueshan. "Consequently, it's all systems go for Trueshan to defend his crown. We are taking nothing for granted, but our fellow has done everything asked of him since Doncaster and now we have to leave it to Hollie (Doyle)."

Trueshan will need to be right back to his best to win what looks like a stellar running of the Oct. 15 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (G2).

Cazoo St Leger Stakes (G1) hero Eldar Eldarov  bids to prove he can mix it with the best stayers, and the form of his Doncaster win got a boost when sixth El Habeeb  and third Giavellotto filled the first two places in the Peroni Nastro Azzurro Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot.

Jockey David Egan knows the colt inside out having been on board for all his five starts, from beating Janoobi by five lengths on his debut to conquering New London  at Doncaster.

It is Eldar Eldarov's first time taking on his elders, but the way he powered through the line in the St Leger suggests he is ready for the challenge.

Egan said: "He's got a good chance. It's a good draw and the step up in trip will prove no problem; he will stay two miles well. The ground won't be an issue and he's come out of the St Leger well. His work has been good; all has been good leading up to the race."

However, a winning RPR of 117 for Eldar Eldarov at Doncaster made it the worst St Leger since Harbour Law 's victory in 2016 and no 3-year-old has won this race since it was moved to this card in 2011.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien has dominated the division with Kyprios and he saddles the other 3-year-old, Waterville, who won the Friends of the Curragh Irish Cesarewitch and now steps into group company.

"We were delighted with Waterville at the Curragh," O'Brien said. "He obviously did very well to win in the circumstances and we have had our eye on this race for him for a while. It's obviously a big step up, but we've been very happy with him since the Cesarewitch and it's going to be interesting to see how he gets on."