Pipe expecting big things of Madison

DAVID Pipe is confident Madison Du Berlais can lay his Cheltenham hoodoo to rest in the Argento Chase today.

The nine-year-old enjoyed a fantastic campaign last season, winning the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, beating Denman at Kempton and rounding off the season with success at Aintree. He has been left chasing the shadow of Kauto Star on his two starts this season and has yet to win in six outings at Prestbury Park, but Pipe is still keen on his chances.

"His best performances have obviously been on flatter tracks but I can't see any reason why he shouldn't run a big race," said Pipe.

Meanwhile, Tidal Bay could earn himself a crack at the World Hurdle with a prominent showing in the Betfair Cleeve Hurdle. The 2008 Arkle hero was not disgraced in finishing second to Monet's Garden on his first outing of the campaign at Aintree but failed to land a blow in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon.

Trainer Howard Johnson is pleased with his current condition and hopes the switch back to timber can rekindle his old spark. "He looks very well but I'm a bit worried the ground might be a bit too soft for him," said Johnson. "We'll see how he gets on and then decide whether to stay over hurdles or go back over fences."

Philip Hobbs' Fair Along chases his fifth career victory at Cheltenham, with a total of 13 runners set to go to post for the Grade Two contest, including former Champion Hurdler Katchit and the consistent Lie Forrit, trained by Scottish handler Willie Amos, among an intriguing line-up.