Horse Talk with Simon Jackson:

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GROUND conditions will determine the next target for Trueshan who secured a first Group 1 victory for Alan King when winning the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup.

Sent off the 6-5 favourite following the withdrawal of four-time Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup winner Stradivarius the five-year-old revelled on the soft ground to win easily.

Jockey Hollie Doyle made a decisive move as they entered the home straight, steering her mount to the stands’ side rail and repelling all challengers.

The winner has entries in the Lonsdale Cup at York and Long Distance Cup at Ascot on Champions Day. The Prix du Cadran at Longchamp on Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe day has also been mooted. 

King said: “It is a very special moment. I have been very calm all morning, then when John [Gosden] took out Stradivarius and we were shortening all the time, the nerves really started to kick in. I have not been this nervous for a long time. 

“I have always enjoyed my flat races and this is very special. This is up there with the Champion Hurdles. All I want to do is train proper horses. I am not giving up the jumping yet. 

“Hollie has given him a great ride and the owners have been great supporters of mine. Trueshan can be a little keen so I’m glad he had a proper race at Newcastle – he could have been ferocious today if he hadn’t had that run. 

“Trueshan is very ground dependent. We had to take him out of the Gold Cup, which is very hard to do. 

“He is in the Lonsdale and he is in the Irish St Leger. I will talk to the boys, but we will probably take him out in the morning at the forfeit stage. The Cadran will probably be his big target in the autumn.”

Horse Talk with Simon Jackson. Showcasing horse racing in London and the south east.