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| Staff Writer |
The best stayer in Europe may not come out to play. His handler Alan King has confirmed that the son of Planteur is unlikely to run in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot if the weather continues to get warmer.
King has made no secret of how much winning the Gold Cup would mean to him, and Trueshan carries strong claims after he developed into a Group One-winning stayer for Alan King, with his 11 career victories headed by the Gr.1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup and Gr.1 Qatar Prix du Cadran.
"It's hard to see him running," King said. "I fear the ground is only going to get firmer, the forecast is for the temperature to get into the high 20s by the end of the week.
"It will be frustrating but it won't actually be that difficult a decision as we don't want to harm him by running him on the unsuitable ground and we can't change the weather,” he said.
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Although a relatively new kid on the block for legendary handler Adian O’Brien, Kyprioshas looked a stayer of serious potential in Ireland this spring and is taken to improve past more-established pair Stradivarius and Princess Zoe. The trainer hopes the gelding will help him secure his eighth success in the meeting showpiece.
On the other hand, John and Thady Gosden’s charge Stradivarius will make his penultimate racecourse appearance at Royal Ascot hoping to emulate Yeats by winning the Gold Cup for a fourth time.
The son of Sea The Stars, has won 20 times, including seven at the top level, and has earned more than £3.3 million in prize money since making his first start in 2016.
Stradivarius will soon begin his second career as a stallion, although which stud he will stand at has yet to be determined, and Gosden added: "Enable was with us until she was six and he’s still here at eight, which is unusual as most Flat horses move on at three and four. He’s become part of the place but I do think he deserves another form of life that he might really enjoy."
John Gosden said: "Stradivarius is happy and well, and we're just hoping the weather holds and he can run on something called good ground rather than soft or heavy, which isn’t his scene at all.”
Brian Ellison’s Tashkhan has proved a committed improver over the past year. He landed runner-up behind Trueshan in Long Distance Cup at Ascot, and in third place in the Yorkshire Cup behind Stradivarius. It’s the perfect time for him to step up.
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Richard Hannon’s Mojo Star comes to the spectacle without the benefit of a prep run. However, he should give a good account for himself.
The 4YO son of Sea The Stars, the smart colt was runner-up in the Derby and St Leger last year but didn’t live up to expectations in the Arc on his final start. He remains a top-staying prospect.
German-bred Princess Zoe is likely to give another good account of herself.
Race Info: Distance 2m 3f 210y (4,014 meters), Surface Turf, Track Right-handed, Qualification Four-years-old and up, Weight 9 st 1 lb (4yo); 9 st 2 lb (5yo+), Allowances,3 lb for fillies and mares,10 lb for S. Hemisphere 4yo horses, Purse £500,000 (2022),1st: £283,550
Full Runner list 2022: Kyprios, J: Ryan Moore, T: A P O'Brien, Stradivarius, J: Frankie Dettori, T: John & Thady Gosden, Trueshan, J: Hollie Doyle, T: Alan King, Princess Zoe, J: J M Sheridan, T: Anthony Mullins, Mojo Star, J: Rossa Ryan, T: Richard Hannon, Burning Victory, J: William Buick, T: W P Mullins, Earlofthecotswolds, J: Liam Keniry, T: Nigel Twiston-Davies, Tashkhan, J: Ben Robinson, T: Brian Ellison
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