Cheltenham Festival winner Madara is to be aimed at the Topham Chase at Aintree according to owner Bryan Drew.
Madara was one of the best-supported handicap runners at the entire meeting at Cheltenham earlier this month. He duly delivered for punters on the opening day, Harry Skelton riding him clear for a wide-margin victory.
Madara was one of two big handicap winners for the Skeltons at Prestbury Park. Still just a seven-year-old, he is likely to be stepped up in class at some point.
However, speaking to the Press Asscoiation via Racing TV, Drew suggested one more handicap may come first.
“The Melling is normally won by a horse in the 160s which is probably a bit hot for him at this stage. So, we’ve entered him in the Topham and that would be the plan at the moment.
“The fences aren’t as penal as they used to be and I think he would have no problem popping round.”
“He was a graded horse in a handicap at Cheltenham” – Drew
Confidence clearly abounds among those associated with Madara. However, identifying the late-season target has been trickier after the handicapper’s reassessment post-Cheltenham.
Madara has gone up 10lb for his Plate success. His manner of victory dictated such a rise, but it is also the deployment of Skelton’s other ranks causing difficulty.
“It’s very difficult because the two races that are left for him are the Melling Chase, which is probably going to be too hot and Dan is saying L’Eau Du Sud is going to run in it, and the Oaksey Chase at Sandown on the final day of the season.”
In terms of connections’ confidence in running in the Topham, there remains plenty that he can win once again.
“He’s gone up 10lb for his Cheltenham win and there’s a lot of horses in the race who he beat at Cheltenham that are going to be better off this time, but I think he’ll give a good account of himself.
“He was a graded horse in a handicap at Cheltenham and there might be still a little wriggle room in his mark, but it will be a hot race as it always is the Topham.”
Drew believes the result in the Topham could have a significant bearing on Madara’s plans for the following campaign.
“We’ll see where he is then, see if he’s found his level, then we can plan ahead for next season.”