Madison strikes in Bowl tinged with sadness

MADISON Du Berlais put his Cheltenham Gold Cup flop behind him as he capitalised on the fall of Denman to claim his third major prize of the season in the totesport Bowl at Aintree yesterday.

Thankfully worries about Denman’s well-being after his exit at the second-last proved wide of the mark and he returned with only a cut to his leg, but the race was marred the subsequent death of runner-up Exotic Dancer.

Following an interrupted preparation this season, Denman went into the Gold Cup with a solitary lacklustre run under his belt, but exceeded trainer Paul Nicholls’ expectations by chasing home stablemate Kauto Star.