Madison primed for Denman rematch

David Pipe is looking forward to renewing rivalries with Denman when he saddles Madison du Berlais in the Hennessy Gold Cup Newbury a week on Saturday.

Pipe’s nine-year-old landed the valuable pot in 2008 and followed up that performance by beating Denman at Kempton in February 2009.

After the withdrawal of Kauto Star, Denman will now head the weights as he bids for an historic third victory, with Madison du Berlais racing off just 10st 1lb.

“The defection of Kauto Star from the Hennessy Gold Cup has certainly opened things up a little bit (if not a great deal!) with Denman likely to be the top weight for Newbury’s feature on Saturday week,” said Pipe.

“With a rating of 182 Denman will still leave many of his rivals out of the handicap proper, although Madison du Berlais will creep in with a nice racing weight.

“He put in a pleasing effort over hurdles on his reappearance at Exeter and that will have done him good – he won the Hennessy in 2008 and has since twice beaten Denman, so we are looking forward to renewing rivalries there,” he told his website, www.davidpipe.com.