Stayers take centre stage at Wolverhampton on Monday, January 17, with Fast-Track Qualifier action provided by the Betway Conditions Stakes (6.30pm) over an extended two miles.
Alan King enjoyed a memorable campaign on the Flat in 2021 and the leading dual-purpose trainer has two battle-hardened contenders in Rainbow Dreamer and Coeur De Lion.
Rainbow Dreamer is a six-time winner on the All-Weather and posted one of his standout performances in this race two years ago, when he defeated 2018 Marathon champion Funny Kid by three and a half lengths. The nine-year-old was second to Northumberland Plate winner Nicholas T on his comeback in a Fast-Track Qualifier at Newcastle in December.
Stable-mate Coeur De Lion enjoyed his biggest success in the 2020 Ascot Handicap at Royal Ascot and was also fourth in last year’s Chester Cup. He reverts to the Flat after returning from a break over hurdles at Newbury last month.
King said: “Rainbow Dreamer had a good break and I was delighted with his reappearance at Newcastle the other week.
“It was always the plan to go to Newcastle and then come back here for a race that he has won in the past before hopefully going on to Finals Day.
“He is a much better horse on the All-Weather compared to turf and I think he goes into this race in real good order.
“I only put Coeur De Lion in the race when I noticed there wasn’t many entries and hopefully he’ll be able to pick up some prize money.”
David Simcock is responsible for Clap Your Hands, who strung together four consecutive victories on the All-Weather two seasons ago, including a hat-trick at Wolverhampton. The lightly raced six-year-old was off the track for 565 days prior to a promising third in a nine-and-a-half-furlong handicap at Wolverhampton on December 26.
Earlofthecotswolds makes his debut on the Flat for Nigel Twiston-Davies. A multiple winner over jumps, the son of Axxos defeated G1-winning hurdler Mengli Khan in a Jumpers’ Bumper on the All-Weather at Kempton Park in February.
The five runners are completed by the George Margarson-trained Protected Guest, who was second in a 12-furlong handicap at Lingfield Park on his latest start.
