GOLD HAS RACING POST AS BACK-UP Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup rivals First Gold and Marlborough are ready to switch to the Racing Post Chase later in the month should Newbury succumb to the elements on Saturday. The pair were set to clash in the Aon Chase, which could be a victim of the wet weather. But First Gold and Marlborough could still cross swords before Cheltenham in the Kempton handicap on February 24th. Marlborough is more likely to benefit from the possible change in plans as he has been allotted 10st 10lb in the Racing Post Chase while First Gold would have to shoulder 12st. At Newbury this weekend First Gold is required to concede just 6lb to his rival. Trainer Francois Doumen has no qualms about the Gold Cup favourite tackling the Racing Post Chase. It was over the course and distance on Boxing Day that the French ace made an exhilarating debut in Britain when trotting up in the Pertemps King George VI Chase. 'I have spoken to First Gold`s owner J P McManus and he is agreeable with the alternative plan,' said Doumen. 'It`s of course no surprise that he`s been given 12st in the Racing Post Chase. 'I would still prefer it, however, if Newbury went ahead. I`m on the phone regularly to the clerk of the course and he`s keeping me updated. 'First Gold has won on heavy ground in France so I`m sure he would cope with the ground comfortably. 'But if the meeting is off there`s nothing we can do about it and we`ll go to Kempton instead. 'I would prefer it if the horse had another run in Britain before the Gold Cup as he hasn`t had much experience of the fences. 'But it`s not that important as he`s a clever boy and I`m sure he`d manage to get by.' Marlborough`s trainer Nicky Henderson is planning to walk the Newbury track to check the state of the ground. Marlborough is owned by Robert Ogden, whose racing manager Barry Simpson said: 'We wouldn`t be keen on heavy ground but we are keen to get a run into him. 'He`s been targeted at the Newbury race for some time and he is almost certain to run assuming the meeting goes ahead. 'We have put him in the Racing Post Chase and that looks the obvious alternative - there is nothing else suitable - and that`s as late as we would want to run him before the Gold Cup. 'The switch to Kempton wouldn`t be a problem as he`s won over the course and was second to Gloria Victis in the Racing Post Chase last year. 'It`s true that Marlborough has a stiffer task at Newbury than at Kempton but he`ll be meeting First Gold at level weights in the Gold Cup so that`s not something we`re thinking about.'
