Rain returns which has to be a plus for Trueshan at Sandown on Thursday

May 22

We might not have celebrated a winner during May yet, but all four of our runners so far this week have run well, and, whatever happens to today’s trio, all eyes will be focussed on stable-star Trueshan in Thursday’s G3 Henry 11 Stakes at Sandown.

Happily, the prayers of Trueshan fans for rain have been answered, with the brollies likely to be out all day in Esher High Street, so fingers crossed the ground will be on the easy side for Sandown’s big night meeting of the year.

As in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot three weeks ago, where Trueshan could finish only fourth, he has to shoulder a 7lb penalty, meaning that he again gives weight to all six opponents.

However, Hollie Doyle was not all doom and gloom when she dismounted on the Royal Heath, pointing to the fact that Trueshan always needs his reappearance. She stressed that he travelled well but just did not pick up early in the straight, though, while he is now an eight-year-old so has naturally lost some of his fire, Hollie is adamant that it would be foolish to write off Trueshan prematurely as he chases his 14th success.

On form Trueshan cannot beat Caius Chorister or Sweet William, who filled the places at Ascot, but he is still more than capable of winning in this grade, so it will be interesting to see how he shapes on his first appearance at Sandown. The more the rain eases the ground the better.