Trueshan battles to Long Distance Cup hat-trick

Hollie Doyle’s mount prevails after epic battle with Coltrane.

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.

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 the 11-8 favourite to this time get the verdict by a head. Trawlerman was third under Frankie Dettori.

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.”

Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.

Latest