Alan King on weather watch ahead of Trueshan's Yorkshire Cup bid

Trueshan's bid to land a first success in the Paddy Power Yorkshire Cup Stakes will be decided by the weather according to trainer Alan King, who expressed concerns about the lack of rain ahead of next week's race.

The dual Group 1 winner is at the head of the market for the Group 2 contest on May 13, which was set to be the first meeting between Trueshan and Stradivarius this season. However, a trip to Sandown could be on the cards if the ground fails to ease before the final day of York's Dante festival.

King said: "The Yorkshire Cup is still the target for him, but I just can't see any rain on the horizon. The Henry II Stakes at Sandown would be our back-up option, which is the week after. It's surely got to break before then."

The ground led to Trueshan missing last season's Gold Cup, Lonsdale Cup and Doncaster Cup, which delayed the meeting of the two star stayers until October, when Trueshan came out on top in testing conditions in the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp.

Paddy Power Yorkshire Cup Stakes full card and betting

The six-year-old finished his season off in flawless fashion with success in the Long Distance Cup under Hollie Doyle, with Stradivarius four lengths back in third.

He made an early return to racing this season with a three-length win in the Listed Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes in April and a return to Ascot – where he is unbeaten – for the royal meeting remains the main target.

"At least we've got a run into him already, this time last year he still hadn't been out," King said. "He's doing well at home and seems in great form.

"I'd love to run him again before Ascot, but at the end of the day it all comes down to the weather, and we'll have to decide from there."

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