Trueshan clash with old rival Stradivarius hinges on York getting forecast rain

Alan King will not run star stayer Trueshan in the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup (2.25) on Friday unless the ground eases at York, having admitted they "got away" with exposing him to quicker conditions in last month's Goodwood Cup.

The six-year-old finished third – beaten a length and a half – behind Kyprios when defending at Goodwood on ground officially described as good, but is known to perform better with cut in the ground, with his two Group 1 wins coming on very soft and soft.

Thunderstorms and rain are forecast to hit York on Monday night and Tuesday and King insists the ground will need to be significantly softer than the current good to firm for Trueshan to take on Stradivarius again.