Earlofthecotswolds begins the defence of his All-Weather Championships crown in the BetUK Over 40,000 Live Streamed Races Conditions Stakes (2.00pm) at Southwell on Sunday, January 8.
The nine-year-old won three races on the spin last season for Nigel Twiston-Davies following a successful jumps career, culminating in a tenacious pillar-to-post success in the £150,000 All-Weather Marathon Championships on Finals Day.
Earlofthecotswolds was highly tried on turf afterwards, contesting both the G1 Gold Cup and G3 Deutsches St Leger, either side of going down narrowly in a handicap at Goodwood.
Willy Twiston-Davies, assistant trainer and part-owner, said: “Earlofthecotswolds is in fantastic form. This is his first start for a good while, but he did a nice piece of work this morning and looks as good as ever.
“Sunday should tell us where we stand with regards to the future. If he was to win well, we could consider a trip to the Middle East but, all in all, another crack at All-Weather Championships Finals Day is the main aim.
“Finals Day last year meant a lot to everyone. Ged Mason, Chris Kiely and Dan Greer are all very supportive owners and the horse had been something of an underdog, although he had performed so well during the all-weather season.
“He beat Coltrane by six lengths in a qualifier at Kempton and we all know what he went on to achieve at the big summer festivals. Ultimately, he beat some good horses and I don’t think he ever got the recognition for that.
“Liam Keniry, his usual jockey, is in Bahrain but Tom Queally is a very able deputy. The horse is very straightforward to ride and I am sure there won’t be a problem.”
Andrew Balding will be hoping Berkshire Rocco can rediscover the form he produced as a three-year-old, which included a neck defeat in the G1 St Leger. Now six, the son of Sir Percy has missed plenty of time over the past two years and was last seen out finishing fourth in the Listed Wild Flower Stakes at Kempton Park in November.
Rainbow Dreamer heads two contenders for Alan King. The 10-year-old has been prolific on the all-weather, winning eight of his 19 starts including four Marathon Fast-Track Qualifiers.
Stable-mate Raymond Tusk makes his first all-weather appearance for two years, although he has plenty of form at Pattern level on turf, most recently finishing fourth behind Addeybb in the G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris in October.
There are two Irish-trained raiders in Kingswear and Dreal Deal, representing Denis Hogan and Ronan McNally respectively. Kingswear showed promise for Charlie Appleby during his 2020 campaign but has been restricted to two starts since, while Dreal Deal won a two-mile handicap at Dundalk on his penultimate outing.
Northumberland Plate third Solent Gateway completes the seven runners for Hugo Palmer.
