King takes Ascot option

Alan King feels it makes more sense for Medermit to run in the Betfair Ascot Chase tomorrow rather than take on Long Run at Newbury 24 hours earlier.

King is keen to see the grey tackle three miles for the first time and the Denman Chase had been at the forefront of his mind.

The Haldon Gold Cup winner put up a fine performance at Cheltenham last time out under a big weight, but official ratings suggested he would have faced a very stiff task against Nicky Henderson’s Gold Cup winner.

On the other hand, Henderson’s Riverside Theatre, the highest rated horse in the Ascot race, is only 2lb superior to Medermit which is why the Barbury Castle handler came down in favour of a trip to Ascot.

“We had considered the rescheduled Denman Chase at Newbury and I still very much want to try Medermit over three miles but, having spoken to the owners, we have decided to put that venture on hold and go to Ascot instead,” said King.

“Obviously, Long Run would have been standing in our way at Newbury, and the ratings suggest it makes much more sense to switch to Ascot as Medermit is a pound above Kauto Stone, who was the ante-post favourite, and only 2lb behind Riverside Theatre.

“Medermit has had a nice break since Cheltenham in December and seems in good form,” he told www.alankingracing.co.uk.