Trueshan gets green light for Stradivarius clash with James Doyle stepping in

The rematch is finally on after Alan King confirmed Trueshan will travel to France to take on Stradivarius this weekend for the first time in nearly a year in Saturday's Qatar Prix du Cadran.

Britain's two best active stayers have been kept apart by the weather and unsuitable ground since the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot last October.

Stradivarius ready for Group 1 clash with Trueshan in Saturday's Prix du Cadran

Trueshan came out on top that day and confirmed his status as a high-class long-distance performer by giving King his first Group 1 success in the Goodwood Cup in July.

However, Stradivarius, who was only 12th at Ascot, missed that race due to the soft ground, while his rival was withdrawn from intended clashes in the Gold Cup, Lonsdale Cup and Doncaster Cup this season because the going was too quick.

Trueshan missed Stradivarius's thrilling win at York due to the groundCredit: Edward Whitaker

The pair are now set to take each other on in the Cadran at Longchamp, though King stressed on Wednesday: "I'm just concentrating on my horse. He leaves in the early hours of the morning and it looks as though he's going to get his ground, that's the most important thing."

James Doyle takes the mount for the first time in Saturday's 2m4f contest, after the unrelated Hollie Doyle failed to overturn a riding ban on appeal.

"It's unfortunate that Hollie can't ride but I'm sure we'll be fine," King added. "James is a good jockey.

"But Trueshan is not guaranteed to get two and a half miles. He's not been tested over it as he had to miss the Gold Cup and this is a different ball game.

"He's in great order and we'll see what happens but I'd have preferred it if it was two miles."

James Doyle, who can look forward to riding Hurricane Lane for the first time in Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, added of Trueshan: "He's an exciting ride. It's his first time at the trip so it's a bit unknown but he certainly stays the two miles well.

"It looks as though he'll get his ground, it's a very wet forecast, that's pleasing to see."

Qatar Prix du Cadran card and betting

Stradivarius is a 5-2 favourite for the Cadran with Paddy Power, who make Trueshan an 11-4 shot and quote last year's winner Princess Zoe at 3-1.

The other Group 1 at Longchamp on Saturday is the Qatar Prix de Royallieu and Ribblesdale winner Loving Dream, a John and Thady Gosden-trained stablemate of Stradivarius, is set to contest that.

The track also stages a host of top-level events on Sunday on the undercard to the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines could feature top-class sprinters Emaraaty Ana, Glass Slippers, Winter Power and Suesa after the first forfeits stage passed, while the exciting Raclette could be the standout name in the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac.

Phoenix Stakes winner Ebro River was left in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and the smart Space Blues might be among the main players in the Qatar Prix de la Foret.

Breeders' Cup heroine Audarya also remains in contention to make an appearance at the meeting in the Prix de l'Opera Longines, which Tarnawa – a strong fancy for Sunday's Arc – won 12 months ago.

Qatar Prix du Cadran

Paddy Power: 5-2 Stradivarius, 11-4 Trueshan, 3-1 Princess Zoe, 8-1 Skazino, 11-1 Bubble Smart, Call To Wind, 12-1 bar

More Arc weekend news:

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: Adayar and Snowfall supplemented for €120,000

'Sunday is not good' – rain could turn Arc day ground soft at Longchamp

2021 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: essential info for the big race at Longchamp

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