Saturday’s British Champions Day at Ascot is set to start with a clash of the titans as experienced campaigner Trueshan will take on Kyprios in the Group 2 Long Distance Cup, who is having only his second start this year.
Kyprios was dominant in the staying division last season, recording five straight victories including the Group 1 Gold Cup at Ascot and Longchamp's Group 1 Prix du Cadran. A joint infection and associated ligament problems ruled the five-year-old out of a repeat bid at Royal Ascot and he returned with a promising second in the Group 1 Irish St Leger in early September. The son of Galileo appeared to retain all his ability and just ran out of steam in the closing couple of furlongs, conceding the race to Eldar Eldarov.
"We were delighted with him, he was just barely ready to run at the Curragh and we think he's made progress since then. He seems in very good form and we're looking forward to seeing him out again," said trainer Aidan O'Brien.
"I couldn't believe he made it back to any race really – I couldn't believe the day he went out of the parade ring at the Curragh he was actually there.
"If everything goes well he would be a great horse to bring back for Ascot [Gold Cup] next year."
With Kyprios expected to improve for his seasonal return, Trueshan could have a Herculean task in his bid for a fourth successive Long Distance Cup. There were question marks about the veteran's racing future when he produced a disappointing fourth in the course and distance Group 3 Sagaro Stakes in May, but trainer Alan King was able to get Trueshan back on track over the summer, returning with a triumphant victory in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup at the Leger meeting. The seven-year-old followed up with a second Prix du Cadran, and arguably remains at the top of his game.
"I'm very happy with him, he came out of the Cadran in great form and everything has gone according to plan really," said trainer Alan King.
"The ground looks like it should be nice and soft and we can't do any more.
"Not many horses get to come back for the same race three years running, let alone four, and getting him back to form to win at Doncaster and Longchamp has been very satisfying."
Although it appears a two horse race on paper, last year's runner-up Coltrane has arguably looked even better as a six-year-old, winning the Group 2 Sagaro Stakes and the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup this term. He is seen to best effect over two miles and jockey Oisin Murphy is tactically flexible aboard Andrew Balding's charge.
Ebor second Sweet William successfully made the transition into Group company when chasing Trueshan home in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup. Although Trueshan finished comfortably ahead of the four-year-old, the John and Thady Gosden-trained gelding kept to his task well and remains open to improvement at this level.
