MARLBOROUGH MARSH DECISION DELAYED A decision on Marlborough`s participation in the Bet Direct Peter Marsh Chase on Saturday will be taken later this week, it emerged today. His owner Robert Ogden also has beaten Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup favourite Kingsmark in the Haydock Park race. Barry Simpson, Ogden`s racing manager, said this morning: 'Mr Ogden is away at the moment and isn`t due back until later this week so I haven`t had chance to discuss running plans with him yet. 'If Marlborough runs at Haydock there won`t be many in the handicap. It`s pretty certain we shall have one runner and may even have two but there`s nothing definite. 'It all depends on the ground. What we don`t want to do is run Marlborough on heavy ground. He goes on it but his main objective is the Cheltenham Gold Cup and that`s what we want him for. 'I`ll walk the track on Wednesday and we`ll make a decision on Thursday - it all depends on the weather.' Haydock`s clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright reported: 'We are frozen at the moment but it is due to get milder and when the frost has gone the going will be soft. 'It`s the best ground we`ve had all season on the chase course.' The Nicky Henderson-trained Marlborough made a successful return to action at Cheltenham in December and is quoted at 8-1 for the Gold Cup by William Hill. Other possible targets for Marlborough include the Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday week and Newbury`s AON Chase on February 10th. 'Nicky has been very happy with the horse since Cheltenham and it`s really a question of finding the best race for the horse,' Simpson added. 'The horse isn`t stuffy and doesn`t need a lot of work or a lot of racing. Nicky is quite happy to give him one race and then go for the Gold Cup.' Kingsmark, trained by Martin Todhunter, had earned his position at the head of the Hennessy betting with an impressive victory over Saturday`s course and distance two weeks earlier. 'In hindsight we perhaps went too quickly with Kingsmark after the Edward Hanmer but we were forced into running in the Hennessy because he was raised so much by the handicapper,' Simpson said. 'We`ve given him a longer break this time and he would be the more likely candidate for Saturday than Marlborough.' Simpson also had news of Ogden`s Ad Hoc, who has been let down by his jumping this season - he fell at the last at Wincanton on his reappearance and five out in the Hennessy. 'Ad Hoc is very well and has done lots of schooling,' Simpson said. 'He will go for the Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster (January 27th).'
