New light thrown on Ogden's grand hope

Lydia Hislop13 April 2012

Punters keen to back Marlborough for Saturday week's Martell Grand National would be supporting a "likely runner" - contrary to reports suggesting his bid is in serious doubt.

Barry Simpson, racing manager to owner Sir Robert Ogden, is concerned that the betting public should be clear about plans for the Nicky Henderson-trained chaser, who finished fourth to Best Mate in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup earlier this month.

Ogden holds three significant entries for Aintree's four mile, four furlong marathon chase on 6 April, all of whom trade among the top dozen of bookmakers' ante-post betting.

Simpson stressed the most likely scenario is that all three - Marlborough, Ad Hoc and Kingsmark - will run.

"I feel Sir Robert's plans have been slightly misrepresented," said Simpson. "Punters may think there's a real doubt over Marlborough running, but that is not the case. I want that to be clear. Provided the ground is not at either extreme, Sir Robert intends to run all three of his entries. They each have a chance of winning. "I was asked whether there was any circumstance in which Marlborough would not run in the National.

"In response to that question, I said heavy ground would be a concern but in today's Racing Post that has been turned into my main thoughts about the race.

"All three horses would run on ground that's good, good-to-soft or soft. I would be worried if the ground were too fast and we would not run Marlborough if the going were as testing as last year - but then perhaps the National itself wouldn't be run again in such conditions. Marlborough has won on heavy ground.

"The only observation I would make to punters is, if as is likely he carries 11 stone 12 pounds top-weight and the ground is heavy, bookmakers would push him out in the betting.

"He didn't appear to get home in the 2000 Scottish Grand National. Equally, if the ground was fast, I'd expect Ad Hoc to be sent off favourite."

Mick Fitzgerald partners Marlborough and, notably, does not share Simpson's stamina concerns.

Jockeys for Ogden's other two charges are undecided but Simpson suggested it is "quite possible" that madcap Irishman, Paul Carberry, will take the ride on Ad Hoc if fit from his Cheltenham Festival injury.

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