Scudamore Sweet On Berlais

Tom Scudamore is looking forward to getting back aboard Madison Du Berlais in whichever race he tackles at the Cheltenham Festival next week.

The resurgent pilot partnered David Pipe's charge to a last-gasp success in the VC Casino.com Gold Cup at Newbury last Saturday and hopes he can continue his rise through the ranks at Prestbury Park.

'He has options. He's in the old Mildmay of Flete (Racing Post Plate) and he's in the Grand Annual too, which he was third in last year,' Scudamore said.

'He gave us a great day on Saturday. He'll have to carry a penalty for that, but he likes the track and the more rain the better.'

Madison Du Berlais enjoyed the step up to two and a half miles last time, but Scudamore is mindful that his mount will need to continue improving to go in again at Cheltenham.

'He really enjoyed the step up in trip last time,' he told At The Races.

'He'd won over two and a half miles in France and he really relished every yard of it at Newbury, but obviously Cheltenham is a very different kettle of fish.'

Madison Du Berlais is currently on offer at 16-1 for both Festival handicaps with totesport and William Hill.

(C) PA Sport