Veteran stayer Rainbow Dreamer finally clinched the BetUK All-Weather Marathon Championships at the third attempt as he stayed on strongly to deny Fleurman.
Alan King’s 10-year-old had finished fourth when well-fancied for the 2021 renewal of the race at Lingfield Park and came home fifth behind Earlofthecotswolds last year.
Earlofthecotswolds attempted to repeat his gate-to-wire heroics of 12 months ago, although he was pressed for much of the race by Withhold, who took up the running turning in.
Hollie Doyle was content to restrain 10/1 chance Rainbow Dreamer at the rear of the field and tacked over towards the stands’ side to deliver her challenge as the chasing pack swamped Withhold a furlong and a half from home.
Rainbow Dreamer quickened into the lead approaching the final furlong and found plenty to see off a persistent Fleurman by a length, with two and a quarter lengths back to third home Barenboim.
Doyle said: “I got a bit of a buzz off that! Rainbow Dreamer is an old legend. He is 10 years old now and I have been riding him since I was an apprentice. Unfortunately, I missed him this winter because I was away, so it was really good of Alan King to put me back on him today.
“I knew there was loads of pace in the race on paper. For a horse who stays so far, he actually can travel a bit and has a bit of toe. I am glad they went like that because, although they were going quickly, he was travelling hard in my hands.
"He has run up here a fair few times and never won, but he always knocks on the door. He is an ultra-competitive horse throughout the winter who deserved to win a big one like this.
“I am really lucky. I was out for a while [with injury] but to have horses like this waiting for me when I come back – I am in a privileged position.
“We have had a fair bit of luck up here at Newcastle, and Alan’s taken a liking to the Flat, which is good because he is a great trainer.”
Fleurman’s trainer Olly Murphy said: “He ran an absolute cracker. He has been seriously progressive on the all-weather. They went a good gallop and I thought he would win a furlong down, but Alan’s horse just kept going and we couldn’t get by him.
“We were second best on the day, but he ran an absolute belter. Whether we look at a Northumberland Plate back here or Royal Ascot, I am not sure, but he’s a progressive horse and hopefully his progression hasn’t stopped yet.”
Kevin Stott added: “Fleurman ran really great. We went a really nice gallop, which suited. I am just really, really happy with him. He has come so far this winter. He really likes the all-weather. It’s just unlucky that we bumped into a good one on the day. He is a horse they’ll probably train for the series next year.”
