Tom Scudamore confident Madison Du Berlais can push Kauto Star all the way

Tom Scudamore expects Madison Du Berlais to be more than a match for Kauto Star when Paul Nicholls' leading light attempts to record a fourth King George VI Chase victory at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

Madison Du Berlais won the Hennessy Gold Cup last season but was a distant third to Kauto Star and Imperial Commander on his return to action in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last month.

The trio are set to lock horns again in the three-mile Grade 1 feature, for which 20 horses are declared. Dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star is 8-11 with sponsors William Hill, with Imperial Commander at 6-1.

Scudamore, who as trainer David Pipe's stable jockey is the regular rider of Madison Du Berlais, thinks the gelding could be value at 9-1.

He said: "He seems in very good form and although he's going to have to step up on his Haydock showing, I wasn't too disappointed with him, because that is the best he's run on his first outing of the season.

"It is going to be very difficult to beat Kauto Star but he went well around Kempton as he showed when he beat Denman there in February and the ground won't matter to him. I think we'll see a better horse this time."

Scudamore is waiting to find out which of Pipe's runners he will ride at Cheltenham on Saturday as David Johnson mulls over jockey bookings for the featured Boylesports.com Gold Cup Handicap Chase.

The Essex-based owner has Seven Is My Number, Our Vic and Chapoturgeon in the 2m5f Grade 3 contest.

He said: "I still haven't spoken to Timmy Murphy but my guess is he will probably ride Chapoturgeon. He is a fresh horse.