South is the talk of the Midlands as he survives late scare in marathon

Talk Of The South went one better than a year ago in the feature 3m5f handicap chase – but not without plenty of drama in the closing stages.

Sent off 11-1 when chasing home West Of The Edge 12 months ago, Paul Henderson's improver was backed into 7-4 favourite for the slog this time, with old rival Capard King among his nine rivals.

After travelling well all the way and seemingly putting the race to bed in the straight, Talk Of The South stopped to nothing when Paddy Brennan eased him close home and his backers were mightily relieved when he just lasted home from the fast-finishing Muckle Roe, with Capard King snapping away at their heels in third.