Medermit To Race In Peterborough Chase

Medermit remains a possible acceptor for the Grade 1 King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day despite plans by trainer Alan King to run the talented gelding in the Grade 2 Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon just 18 days earlier, writes Elliot Slater.

The seven-year-old ran a creditable race at Ascot on Saturday when a 12-length third to Master Minded and Somersby in the Grade 2 Amlin 1965 Chase, staying close to the action until a mistake three from home combined with a raising of the tempo caught him out, leaving him unable to quicken with the principals. King observed that his charge had run more or less as he was entitled to perform on official BHA ratings so he was far from disappointed with third place and has nominated the Peterborough Case as the next stop for his classy chaser. Anyone looking at the Betfair King George VI Chase Betting will be keeping an eye on him.

Runner-up in the Grade 2 Dipper Novices Chase at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, Medermit went on to land the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novice Chase at Sandown the following month before failing to justify favouritism when only fourth behind Captain Chris in the Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival. He ended the season with a solid effort in chasing home Wishfull Thinking at Aintree. Fans of King George VI horse racing should bear this in mind.

This season got off to a fortuitous start for the grey son of Medaaly who looked set to be passed by Captain Chris at the final fence of the Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter when that rival crashed to the ground, leaving King’s horse to come home a length-and-a-quarter clear of Cornas. It’s asking a lot of Medermit to mix it with the best three-mile chasers in the business in the ‘King George’ having never tackled that distance before, but the option still remains open for the 33/1 to take his chance in a race likely to be dominated by Long Run and Kauto Star.