Alan King will field two horses in the BetUK All-Weather Championships Marathon Handicap, aiming to secure consecutive victories in the prominent Newcastle event. The favourite, Spartan Army, will be joined by Rainbow Dreamer, the reigning champion from last year, who will be competing in his farewell race.
Under the guidance of Hollie Doyle, Rainbow Dreamer emerged as a somewhat unexpected victor last year, when the race was held as a conditions event for the last time. Now being run as a handicap, the 11-year-old faces a challenging task. However, stable companion Spartan Army, who has secured victories in his previous three outings, stands as a strong contender. Moreover, Spartan Army is in contention for a £35,000 bonus after triumphing in the Trial earlier this month.
According to King, "Spartan Army has recovered well from the Lingfield race. It was his third consecutive race, so we allowed him a short rest, and he has returned in excellent condition."
"We encountered a minor concern with Spartan Army during the winter, but we addressed it promptly, and he has made significant progress since then.
Irrespective of the outcome, this race will mark Rainbow Dreamer's last competitive appearance. Despite advancing in age, he has been an exceptional performer for us, and we hope he can deliver another commendable performance."