Grade One success for Medermit

Medermit held Captain Chris in the Grade 1 totepool Challengers Novices’ Chase at Sandown.
Medermit, the 5–2 favourite, took advantage of a mistake two out by Mr Gardner to take a definite lead.
However, the gallant Captain Chris challenged up the hill and was only half a length down at the line.
Mr Gardner was seven lengths away in third. Medermit took another step forwards on his embryonic chasing career over this extended two-and-a-half-mile trip and was already en-route to an impressive victory by the Pond Fence.

It was only on the gruelling uphill run-in that Medermit began to lose his momentum as Captain Chris closed to half a length but connections will not yet commit themselves to a Cheltenham Festival target.
Trainer Alan King said: “Choc (Thornton) said he got there too soon and he just idled. “You’ve got to be able to get the trip for the Arkle and this was the ideal preparation, but I’m not committing him to anything at the moment. “I don’t want to say something and change my mind but I’m very happy, I haven’t won a Grade One for about two years, after all.”