'The more rain the better for Trueshan' - trainer quotes on the Group 1

Tuesday: 3.35 Goodwood
Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes (Group 1) | 2m | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

Star stayer Stradivarius was taken out of the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup on Tuesday because of the soft ground, leaving the race at the mercy of Trueshan. Here's what the trainers have to say about the remaining runners . . .

What they say

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Amhran Na Bhfiann, Santiago and Serpentine
I would say the Gold Cup at Ascot probably came a little bit quick for Serpentine. We've been happy with him since Ascot and I would say dropping to two miles from two and a half will be a help to him. Santiago will prefer this trip as well. He ran well in the race last year and wouldn't mind a little ease in the ground. Amhran Na Bhfiann came out of the Gold Cup in good form and won very nicely in the Curragh Cup. He's progressing nicely.

Sir Ron Priestley: interesting runner for Mark JohnstonCredit: Getty Images/Pool

Mark Johnston, trainer of Nayef Road and Sir Ron Priestley
We agonised over paying £25,000 to supplement Sir Ron Priestley and I had to convince myself I was doing it for the owner, not myself, as there's some uncertainty about the trip. In the Yorkshire Cup it looked very much as if he didn't stay, but it's hard to equate that with his St Leger second or his Nottingham win, and at the beginning of the year we had no doubt he would stay two miles. The other worry is rain, but Charlie [son and assistant], rightly or wrongly, said that on good to firm ground he would put his house on the horse finishing in the first four, which is what we need to get the supplementary fee back. Nayef Road's recent runs have been mixed, but in some of them he's shown a glimmer of his best and he deserves to be there on past performances. I don't think any of us would be surprised if he was in the shake up, but he'd need a personal best and Stradivarius to be below form if he were to win.

Alan King, trainer of Trueshan
I thought the rain they had already had would make it safe enough to run, but to see Trueshan at his best it's a case of the more rain the better. He looked very good at Ascot on British Champions Day and we've been very pleased with him this year. I was very pleased I ran him at Newcastle in the Northumberland Plate, because you can't keep these horses simmering away forever and he had a proper race there. Everything has gone very smoothly in the build up since and we'll see what happens.

Tuesday's race previews:

1.50 Goodwood: 'He's ready to win if things go right' – trainers on the TV opener

2.25 Goodwood: can we trust the Coventry form? Graeme Rodway gives his view on Berkshire Shadow

3.00 Goodwood: absence unlikely to be an issue as Space Blues bids for Lennox Stakes repeat

3.35 Goodwood: why Stradivarius is harder to beat at Goodwood (Members' Club)

New Sky Bet customers can get £30 in free bets when you place a sports bet. 5p minimum stake. First single and EW bet only. 3 x £10 free bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtual. Free bets are non-withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Further T&Cs apply. 18+. Click here to claim