Hollie Doyle: 'I don't see why Trueshan can't be even better this year'

Wednesday: Nottingham

All eyes are on the Gold Cup for the team behind Trueshan and the star stayer made a perfect first step towards his big-race target with a decisive win in the Listed Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes.

Last year's Goodwood Cup, Prix du Cadran and Long Distance Cup scorer defied a 7lb penalty and confirmed his authority over his three rivals for a straightforward three-length success from last year's Ebor second Quickthorn.

Trueshan remains the 11-4 favourite for the Gold Cup with Paddy Power on June 16 and his jockey Hollie Doyle is not ruling out him being even better this year.

Doyle said: "It was really straightforward, he got into a nice rhythm and the further he went the better. It was a great starting point.

"Today wasn't D-day but I was really happy with him. He's done so well physically and I don't see why he can't be even better this year."

King's assistant Dan Horsford knows the Singula Partnership-owned six-year-old better than most having ridden him at home throughout his career and believes there will be plenty of improvement to come.

Horsford said: "He's been in from the turn of the year and does everything so easily that he doesn't take an awful lot of getting fit. He was ready for today but there will be more improvement in him. He hasn't had the screw turned.

"He took everything before him last year so if he was to improve on that we could have quite a horse on our hands. He can get fresh between races so we may look at a race in May and he's in the Yorkshire Cup. The Gold Cup is the race we want to win this year."

Double bubble

Racing TV pundit Amy Ryan had two reasons to cheer on the seven-race card as her father Kevin struck with both his runners – Boonie in the 5f conditions stakes and Ballet Steps in the 5f handicap.

Boonie, owned by Seymour Bloodstock and Mark Balnaves, quickened up best for a winning return under Kevin Stott, having finished third in the Windsor Castle and Molecomb last season.

Ryan said: "We've always liked Boonie, he had really good form from last season so it's nice to see him win in that style.

"He has loads of speed, is a really strong traveller and is able to quicken off that. He loves his work, loves his racing and has a great attitude – he has everything you want."

Proving popular

Nick Bradley Racing have their highest number of horses in training for this Flat season – around 75 – and struck early on the turf with 1m2f handicap winner Al Qareem.

There were 30 syndicate members on course for their three runners and Bradley has had no issues in attracting new owners on the back of a memorable campaign.

Bradley said: "We had a great year, won five Stakes races, had six two-year-olds rated above 100 and we're having no problems attracting new owners. I bought a horse the other day at nine o'clock and it had sold out by half ten – and that's been par for the course."

On the Karl Burke-trained Al Qareem, he added: "We thought he'd win and he's been crying out for a step up in trip. He'll come into his own this season."

Seasett scores

Charlie Fellowes was on the scoresheet with yard debutant Seasett in the 1m½f handicap before heading to the nearby City Ground to watch his beloved Nottingham Forest take on Coventry City.

Fellowes said: "His work had been good and he'll be a really fun horse this year."

Result, replays and analysis

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