RETAINING the title may be beyond him but Basil Marcus will not quit without a fight - as yet another double yesterday showed. The South African rider struck in the opening race with the useful Dazzling Union (7-1) and followed up when newcomer Manor Lord (10-1) produced a grand win in the fourth event. Those wins take the defending champion jockey to 41 winners, 13 behind Tony Cruz who was winless yesterday. Dazzling Union handily beat home raging favourite Star Of Marble (7-5), having clearly learned from his initial racetrack experience earlier this season. On that occasion he had raced greenly, going wide before coming home strongly over 1,200 metres. He was much favoured by the step up in distance to a mile in this Class Five race and gave Marcus few problems, quickening sweetly when required and going clear. Star Of Marble ran a good race for second and may have been hindered by the imposition of 140 pounds. Topweight City Raider (6-1) ran a pleasing third and can be expected to take a race in this grade. Manor Lord was an impressive winner of the Class Three, 1,200-metre fourth event and trainer David Hill has something to work with. Marcus easily overcame the outside draw to have the horse across and travelling sweetly just off the pace. Leader Electric Power (9-2), blinkered for the first time but with little discernible effect, slowed soon after straightening and Manor Lord swept through to take up the running and hit the line very strongly. He beat Ever The Best (5-1) by 21/2 lengths with Goldchin Champ (8-1) finishing a fair third.
