Gold Cup next for Trueshan as Sandown going prompts change of plan

Trueshan was not among the nine declarations for the Coral Henry II Stakes at Sandown’s evening fixture on Thursday and could instead head for a gallop at Nicky Henderson's Seven Barrows stable for his Gold Cup warm-up.

He was ruled out of a potential prep run at the declaration stage on Tuesday with the ground described as good, good to firm in places, and too fast for the son of Planteur, whose four Group-race wins have come when 'soft' was in the going description.

Trueshan, 3-1 joint-favourite with Kyprios for the staying crown at Royal Ascot, may head 20 miles away from trainer Alan King's Wiltshire base for a gallop at Seven Barrows in Lambourn.

King said the trip is intended to take the "freshness off", with no racecourse appearance scheduled before the Gold Cup on June 16. He has raced only once this season, winning a Listed race at Nottingham in April.

"He'll go straight to Ascot, there's nothing else," King said. "It's still good, good to firm and it looks like it could dry out even more by the time we get there too.

"I'm happy with him, but I'm not prepared to take the risk on the run-up to Ascot. If that had been the ground at Ascot I probably might have run him, but I'm not doing it as his warm-up. We'll look to arrange something [with Nicky] now."

Addeybb: four-time Group 1 winner makes his seasonal reappearance in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown on ThursdayCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Addeybb will begin his sixth season in training in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes (7.25).

He represents the red-hot William Haggas stable, whose excellent run included success in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and German 2,000 Guineas at the weekend.

The eight-year-old is a four-time Group 1 winner and was last seen finishing sixth in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October. He was also second in the 2021 Coral-Eclipse over the Brigadier Gerard course and distance.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Bay Bridge is another big name set to make his seasonal reappearance in the Group 3. He won four times last year, breaking through at Listed level in the James Seymour Stakes at Newmarket when last seen.

Sandown card on Thursday

Gordon Richards Stakes winner Mostahdaf also lines up along with Lord Glitters as well as Godolphin pair Dubai Future and Passion And Glory.

Only a neck separated Quickthorn and Enemy in the placings for the Sagaro Stakes last month and the pair reoppose in the Henry II Stakes (6.50). They take on Euchen Glen, Thunderous and John Leeper, along with Cheltenham Festival-winning mare Indefatigable, set to make only her third start on the Flat.

Eight runners are declared for the Coral National Stakes (6.15), including Irish raider Crispy Cat for trainer Michael O'Callaghan and jockey Rossa Ryan. Crispy Cat was a short-head second to impressive Marble Hill winner Blackbeard last time and takes on debut winners Tajalla, Waiting All Night and Maria Branwell.

Coral Brigadier Gerard Stakes
Sponsors: 11-10 Mostahdaf, 9-4 Bay Bridge, 3 Addeybb, 14 bar

Coral Henry II Stakes
Sponsors: 9-4 Enemy, 3 Quickthorn, 7-2 Thunderous, 8 John Leeper, 10 bar

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The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday