#UK RACING: WATCH TRUESHAN WIN BRITISH CHAMPIONS LONG DISTANCE CUP

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Trueshan battled to a third successive British Champions Day success when taking an epic renewal of the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot on Saturday, October 15, 2022.

The 11-8 favourite after winning the race twice previously, Alan King’s popular gelding locked horns with Coltrane in a rematch from the Doncaster Cup, where Andrew Balding’s runner had come out on top by a neck.

But the roles were reversed this time, with Hollie Doyle showing all her strength on the rail aboard Trueshan to this time get the verdict by a head. Trawlerman was third under Frankie Dettori.

Trueshan chased the leaders through the contest but had to be switched after turning in to get a clear shot at them.

From the two furlong pole he was locking horns with the eventual runner-up and there was never more between them than the head that was the official winning distance.

It was three lengths back to Trawlerman in third.

Winning jockey Hollie Doyle said: "What a horse. I’m speechless to be honest. Alan King is the maker of this horse. From what he has done today on the back of his last two runs is phenomenal.

“It was really rough going into that first bend. I had Wordsworth on my outside. I was caught in a pocket and it was one of them where you either kick in or get flattened. I kicked in and some people suffered as a consequence.

“For someone like me, I’m quite emotionally invested in the sport and this means the world to me.”

King said: “The ground was right today but he had to be at his best, the second horse just kept going.

“Hollie thought a furlong out she was going to go away and win well, but Coltrane wasn’t stopping. I think he had to be right up at his best today.

“I didn’t enjoy watching it, but I’ll enjoy the replay. He was in a lovely place, travelling well and turning in I thought we had a hell of a chance but I thought my good friends the Mariscottis (owners of Coltrane) were going to come and do me again.

“I just think at Doncaster he was remembering Goodwood, as he wouldn’t let himself down. When he came through to challenge he went right then left, he wouldn’t go forward so I think he was just feeling things.”