Horseracing : Marlborough misses Newbury clash
Leading Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Marlborough has sidestepped a clash with First Gold after the gelding was not declared for Saturday's Aon Chase at Newbury.
The Nicky Henderson-trained nine-year-old will head instead for the Racing Post Chase at Kempton Park on February 24.
Unsuitable going was the reason for the change of plan, with owner Robert Ogden now represented by Kingsmark in the £50,000 contest.
Ogden's racing manager Barry Simpson said: "Nicky walked the track, he has had a long discussion with Robert Ogden and he felt he didn't really want to run him on very heavy ground.
"We know he will go on it. It was just a question of whether it was the right thing to do, we were obviously going to have a hard race.
"If the ground is better for Kempton we will go for the Racing Post Chase.
"It's unfortunate but we can't do anything about the weather.
"We'd planned this for some time and it's just not worked out."
Kingsmark is one of four horses set to take on Gold Cup favourite First Gold at Newbury.
"To be realistic we are all running for second-place prize money," Simpson added.
Exciting novice chaser Shotgun Willy, Listen Timmy and Mulligan are the other declarations for the race.
