Trueshan makes pleasing return at Sandown finishing an encouraging fourth in a Group One

May 26

Trueshan might be nine years old, but at Longchamp yesterday he produced the sort of performance that Alan had hoped for, and one that surely prompts connections to put the veteran’s pension book back on the shelf until the end of the season.

Making his first appearance since last October in the G1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier, Trueshan came out best of the four British-trained raiders quartet in finishing an excellent fourth behind Ascot Gold Cup-bound Candelari.

Settling well for James Doyle, Trueshan raced with all his old enthusiasm, but, not surprisingly, after his long absence, he was just chopped for a bit of foot when the pace increased at the three-furlong pole.

However, Trueshan found his second wind in the last 300 yards and went past Dubai Gold Cup runner-up Double Major close hoke to finish fourth.

Alan has always put Trueshan’s welfare first when planning his programme, and he won’t run anywhere where the ground rides fast. Maybe, he is not quite the force he was, but he is still a major contender for any of the staying races if he gets the right underfoot conditions,

Who knows if the weather breaks in June and into early July, Trueshan might get ground sufficiently on the easy side to enable him to defend his Coral Marathon crown at Sandown on Eclipse day.