Madison Du Berlais heads straight to Cheltenham

Madison Du Berlais, who handed Denman his first ever defeat over fences, will head straight to the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Trainer David Pipe had the option of running the Hennessy winner off his old handicap mark in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton this weekend.

However, the Pipe has resisted the temptation and would rather the eight-year-old went to Prestbury Park a fresh horse.

"We've decided not to run him on Saturday, he goes straight to the Gold Cup now," said Pipe.

"We want him to win the Gold Cup and to do that you have to be at the top of your game.

"To give the horse the best possible chance of winning the Gold Cup we thought, after speaking to the owners, that it was best to go straight there.

"Of course he's surprised us this year, especially last time, but he keeps on improving and deserves to take his chance."