Marathon champion Earlofthecotswolds returns in Fast-Track Qualifier at Southwell 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. About the All-Weather Championships Season 10 of the All-Weather Championships runs from Tuesday, October 18, 2022, and culminates with All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Newcastle on Good Friday, April 7, 2023. The six championship categories are: *Three-Year-Olds sponsored by News UK - 6f Final *Fillies & Mares sponsored by News UK - 7f Final *Mile sponsored by Spreadex Sports - 1m Final *Sprint sponsored by BetUK - 6f Final *Marathon sponsored by BetUK - 2m Final *Middle Distance sponsored BetUK - 10f Final There are two ways for horses to qualify for one of the finals on All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Newcastle: * A horse can win a 'Fast-Track Qualifier' race which will ensure a FREE and GUARANTEED place in the corresponding final on Good Friday. There are four Fast-Track Qualifiers in each of the six championship categories hosted at racecourses in Great Britain, Ireland and France. If a filly wins any of the Fast-Track Qualifier races for either the Sprint or the Mile categories, the filly will be qualified for the final of that specific category, or for the Fillies and Mares Final. or * A horse must run a minimum of three times on the All-Weather surfaces in Great Britain, Ireland and France; or twice on the All-Weather surfaces in Great Britain, Ireland, France and once on dirt in Dubai or Saudi Arabia during the qualifying period between October 18, 2022 and the six-day entry stage for the finals (Saturday, April 1, 2023) and then be rated high enough to 'make the cut' in a final by order of its BHA Rating. In addition, prizes will be awarded to each of the All-Weather Champions - the 'All Stars' - based on the number of winners at the end of the All-Weather Championships season: Champion All-Weather Jockey (winner and runner up) Champion All-Weather Apprentice Jockey (winner and runner up) Champion All-Weather Trainer Champion All-Weather Owner For more information on the All-Weather Championships, please visit: For more information, please contact: Sam Cone Head of Communications and Public Affairs Arena Racing Company Office: 020 7802 5120 Mobile: 07920 404 296 Email: scone@arenaracingcompany.co.uk Web: www.arenaracingcompany.co.uk
