Sir Robert Ogden's racing manager Barry Simpson has said Marlborough is 60% certain to line up for the Aon Chase at Newbury this Saturday. The 10-year-old was due to run in the Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham last month but was then withdrawn because of the testing conditions at the course.
The ground at Newbury was heavy earlier this week and there were fears that Marlborough's return to action would be delayed once again. However, Simpson walked the track today and confirmed afterwards that is was more than likely the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup hopeful would take his place in the field.
"I was pleasantly surprised that the ground was not as bad as I thought it might be. I would say it is soft but heavy in a few places and if it stays like that then its 60-40 in favour of Marlborough running," said Simpson. I will have to speak to his trainer Nick Henderson and Sir Robert about it but we are quickly running out of options with the horse as the Cheltenham Festival is getting closer all the time."
"We could wait until the Jim Ford Chase at Wincanton 12 days later but that could easily be run on soft and testing ground and would come much too close to Cheltenham," he added.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
