Marlborough pleases in gallop

Marlborough is on course for a return to racing action in the next month after pleasing connections in a grass gallop today.

'He did plenty of work on our grass gallops and went very, very well,' said trainer Nicky Henderson.

The Lambourn-based handler will choose between the Pillar Chase at Cheltenham on January 26th or the Aon Chase at Newbury two weeks later as the target for Marlborough`s seasonal debut.

The Sir Robert Ogden-owned gelding missed an intended engagement in the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day due to a minor breathing operation.

But the 10-year-old remains a leading fancy for the Stg#300,000 Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup following an unbeaten campaign last season which culminated with victory in the Grade One Tote Gold Trophy at Sandown in April.

Marlborough is generally a 14-1 shot for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Henderson revealed that Geos was the most likely of his three entries for the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle to make the journey to Leopardstown on January 27th.

Geos won both the Bonusprint Bula Hurdle and the Pertemps Christmas Hurdle last season but on his only run so far this term made a made a highly-promising British chasing debut when runner-up to Edredon Bleu at Huntingdon.

'Geos I would think would be quite likely to go,' said the Lambourn trainer.

He also has Landing Light and Regal Exit in the Leopardstown feature.

Henderson has Get Real in Saturday`s feature, the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot and jockey Mick Fitzgerald is bullish about the horse`s chances.

'The horse is fighting fit and I`m quite pleased that the weights have gone up.

'He loves Ascot that`s the great thing. If you get a horse that likes it round that place it`s worth a few pounds off his back,' he told the Racing Channel.

'The ground drying out will help him. I don`t think there`s any significant rain forecast, perhaps a little bit on Friday, but hopefully the meeting will be on and we will at least be able to see some quality racing.'