Alan King confirms Medermit for Arkle Trophy

Medermit

Alan King confirmed that Medermit, who provided the trainer with his first Grade One winner for almost two years on Saturday, will run in the Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.

Medermit, who beat Captain Chris by a half-length in the totepool Challengers Novices' Chase at Sandown Park on Saturday, has entries for both the Jewsons Novices’ Chase and the Rayanair Chase at the Festival but will now attempt to match the achievements of Voy Por Ustedes and My Way de Solzen who won the race for King in 2006 and 2007.

Explaining his decision on his website, King said: “I have spoken to the owners and had a long chat with Choc [stable jockey Robert Thornton], and we feel that the way that he travelled and jumped at Sandown, Medermit deserves a shot at the big one.

“He was very professional and did everything we could have asked for in what looked a proper race. Short or long he was brilliant at his fences, and, having gone two years without a Grade One winner, it was terrific to be back in the big time.”

That victory was the first at Grade One level since Voy Por Ustedes won the Melling Chase at the Grand National meeting in 2009 but King appears to be going into the Festival with a few shots in the locker as he seeks a 12th winner at the meeting.

King won the JCB Triumph Hurdle with Penzance in 2005 and Katchit two years late and Kumbeshwar made a good impression when he won the opening juvenile hurdle at Sandown. The Doyen gelding has been a recent arrival from the David Evans yard and King sees him still as a work in progress before committing to any lofty targets.

“We will need to work on his jumping, but he has only been with us three weeks, so we ought to be able to polish up that side of him,” he said. “I am not sure how far Kumbeshwar will go, but he is a good, fun horse and as tough as they come, and he’ll have another run at the end of the month before we decide where we are heading.”

There was a time – as recently as the start of last month – when Blazing Bailey appeared to be heading for retirement. However, the nine-year-old – who was a Grade One winner over hurdles – proved that he was no back number by winning a handicap chase at Cheltenham on New Year’s day and showed plenty of resolution to defy a 13lb hike in the weights to win at Ffos Las, ridden by Wayne Hutchinson.

“I was also chuffed with Blazing Baileys,” King said “and he’ll be entered for a couple of the handicaps at Cheltenham, though the Midlands National at Uttoxeter would be an alternative target.

“He could also be one for the Scottish National later on, though I would be worried that the ground might dry up by April.”

Paul Wheeler

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