Robert Havlin is confident that Sweet William has all the ability needed to bag himself a major staying prize and it may well come in Friday’s Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup Stakes.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained five-year-old has never been out of the first three in 13 career outings, but he has only won four of them.

His most recent success came at Sandown in the Henry II Stakes and since then he has been placed twice behind Kyprios in the Gold Cup at Ascot and at Goodwood.

With Aidan O’Brien keeping Kyprios at home this weekend, Sweet William has a favourite’s chance.

Havlin optimistic about favourite's chances

“He’s getting more straightforward to ride but he is getting more on the lazy side, so he requires plenty of pushing and kicking, whereas he used to travel round on the bridle,” said Havlin.

“He’s better over these sorts of trips (two and a quarter miles) and I felt he was a bit unlucky in the race last year. Trueshan ended up going down the middle of the track on his own and we stayed with the pack. I thought I had a good chance of beating Trueshan that day.

“We’ve finished in front of Trueshan every other time since then, so I’m definitely looking forward to it. He seems in great form at home.

“He’s unlucky that Kyprios is around but this is the first time this season he’s not up against us in a big race, so we’ve avoided him. While he’s not straightforward, he does have tonnes of ability.

“He’s going to win a big one sooner or later, he’s definitely got the ability, it’s just about things falling right.”

King hoping ground doesn't dry out for Trueshan

Trueshan famously needs give in the ground to show his best form, so Alan King was over the moon to see five millimetres of rain fall on Wednesday evening before the meeting began.

Last year’s winner might not be quite the force of old but he did win at Sandown in July and he was fourth in the Goodwood Cup last time out.

King said: “Trueshan had a little break after Goodwood and appears to be back in good shape. I have been happy with his preparation. I hope the ground does not dry out further.”

Also representing the Gosdens is Gregory who split Sweet William and Trueshan at Goodwood and went on to be a three-length third to Vauban at York.

“I thought he ran really well last time and I think the extra distance here will help. He has probably only got one pace and it’s a good pace, but I think the extra couple of furlongs will make the difference,” said Richard Brown, bloodstock adviser to owners Wathnan Racing.

“He’s tough and he’s such a likeable horse who gives his all. He’s a big horse and I know he’s four, but I still think he will be better next year because he’s a big boy and a lovely horse who always tries and runs his race.

“His stablemate will be a tough nut to crack and Point Lonsdale is an interesting runner and it’s a very good race with the likes of Trueshan in there as well, so we’re looking forward to seeing him run.”

O’Brien runs Point Lonsdale, with Andrew Balding’s Coltrane and Adam Nicol’s Wise Eagle completing the field.