A big prize is on offer and a strong if low on numbers line-up set to go to post; we like MAIDSON DU BERLAIS and the Pipe runner gets a confident vote to score from Richard's Sundance and Gone To Lunch. The nine-year-old pick has raced exclusively in graded company this season, twice placing behind Kauto Star before an ultimately well-held fourth to Taranis in the Adonis Chase last time. Cheltenham has never seemed to suit him though so that form shouldn't be read literally; he likes flat right-handed tracks having shown strong form at Kempton so can be fancied to win this well with the race conditions favouring the likely favourite. Richard's Sundance is firmly on the upgrade and is respected as the likely danger. He relishes a slog in the mud and looks value for his rating judging on his recent win here, but whilst he's at the top of his game we feel that's still some way below the level set by our pick. Similarly, Gone To Lunch needs to improve on the balance of his form but might just prefer running in this small field. Jeremy Scott's runner has plenty of classy bits of form but much of that has come at Newbury and some time ago too, so whilst this will be easier than some assignments set he's still got something to prove. Regal Heights looks fairly treated now and likes rain-softened ground, but he's been held in weaker races lately and might be up against it along with Officer De Reserve who has left Paul Nicholls since being pulled up back in March. This is an intriguing spectacle and one to savour; we hope it can provide Madison Du Berlais with a deserved first success of the season.
Madison Du Berlais (FR) 3-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, led 9th to 14th, stayed front rank until ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 21l behind Taranis (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Gone To Lunch (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Mid-division until lost place and in rear 10th, tailed off, 9th of 13, 34l behind Monkerhostin (11-5) at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) gs.
Richard's Sundance (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Led 3rd to 8th, chased leader, led 4 out, clear before last, stayed on strongly, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan beating Cleni Boy (10-13) by 5l, 15 ran.
Regal Heights (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Behind, reminders 9th, outpaced 5 out, 7th last, stayed on well flat, never nearer, 4th of 10, 11l behind Sa Suffit (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft.
Officier De Reserve (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, reminder after 7th, not fluent 10th, mistake and losing touch 19th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Russian Trigger (10-9) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) sft in Mar, 15 ran.
