Jockey Robert Thornton is confident that Medermit could run a huge race in the Irish Indepedent Arkle Challenge Trophy at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

Alan King’s stable star was an impressive winner of the Grade One totepool Challengers Novices' Chase at Sandown last weekend and the trainer confirmed that Medermit would drop back down to two miles next month, rather than tackle the Jewson Novices’ Chase.

"I said to Alan I don't mind which race he runs in. His jumping has got better and better with each run and I felt we needed that run on Saturday to get the jumping spot on and it was," Thornton explained.

"It's all come together. He's got pace, he stays and now he jumps and hopefully will be in the mix at Cheltenham."

Thornton also admitted he was absolutely thrilled with the victory at Sandown, although things didn’t go exactly to plan.

"Alan wanted me to wait until between the last two but going down to the Pond Fence I could feel horses coming around me and the race has opened up in front of me. I thought I'd go and get the gap when I can and was there a bit too soon as a result," he continued.

"I wouldn't be tied down as to how to ride him and I don't think it matters. As long as does enough it doesn't matter what the winning margin is."