'Surprise' horse Earlofthecotswolds bids to hit the jackpot for Twiston-Davies

Betway All-Weather Marathon Championships Conditions Stakes | 2m½f, 4yo+ | ITV4/SKY

Having been out of luck when bidding for a third Grand National triumph last weekend, Nigel Twiston-Davies tries something completely different six days on.

His five-time hurdles winner Earlofthecotswolds has been a revelation since switched to the Flat and two Kempton wins give him a leading chance of landing this prize, which would earn his trainer more money in a single race than he has ever won in an entire Flat season previously.

But he has ground to make up from February with Sleeping Lion, trained by Roger and Harry Charlton, while Marshall Plan represents the much more familiar Flat racing team of Frankie Dettori, the Gosdens and Godolphin.

What they say

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Earlofthecotswolds
I'm very much looking forward to running him. He's been a bit of a surprise and he's won some wonderful prize-money. Let's hope he can do even better here.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Grandmaster Flash
He's in good shape, but has a little bit to find with some of the principals. He enjoys the all-weather and there are not many opportunities for him over here, so hopefully he can run well.

Alan King, trainer of Rainbow Dreamer
He has long been aimed at this and he's back in good form after running a rare poor race at Kempton last time – that was the only time he has ever let me down on the all-weather and may have come too soon after his previous run. He's working well and is reunited with Hollie Doyle, who has a great record on him. The ratings suggest that if he can put that last run behind him he has every chance, though he's not getting any younger and there's no improvement to come.

Harry Charlton, joint-trainer of Sleeping Lion
He's in great form, we think he has the form in the race to win and, as ever with Newcastle, a lot will depend om the pace of the race.

Read more of Friday’s Newcastle previews:

2.00: 'If he runs like that again, he will win' - Haggas counting on My Oberon's best

2.35: Big chance on another big day for high-flying sprinter Ejtilaab at Newcastle

3.10: 'Group horse' El Caballo bids to prove the punters' favourite once again

3.45: John Quinn hoping for more success with bargain-buy Highfield Princess

4.45: Unlucky Tyrrhenian Sea out to set the record straight in Easter Classic

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