Trainer Alan King is confident about the chances of Medermit in this year’s Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle.

The trainer believes that the horse will make amends for his “very unlucky” defeat at the hands of Go Native at last year’s Festival and is confident Medermit can turn the tables with Noel Meade’s antepost favourite for the race.

Medermit is as low as 9/1 for the Grade One after he defeated the reigning champion Punjabi at Haydock last month and King is confident that he goes to Cheltenham with a very solid chance.

"After running third in the Greatwood, we thought we would give him one more go over hurdles. He then ran very well in the old Bula so we thought we would have a crack at the Champion," explained King.

"We had schooled him over fences but that can wait now.

"I thought he was very unlucky at Cheltenham last year when he was hampered at the last and I am surprised the way he has progressed this season.

"I have not seen him look better and he has a great neck and top on him at the moment.

"He has done well since Haydock and I think the Supreme is a better race than we thought at the time.

"Solwhit and Go Native, the two Irish horses, look the main dangers.

"The Champion Hurdle has always been his target and I do think he has a very strong each-way chance."

Betfair offers a free £25 Cheltenham bet for all those who want to open a new account with the company. Place a bet up to the value of £25 on any race during the Cheltenham Festival and should that bet not come in -Betfair will refund your stake and give you a second chance to win big on the Cheltenham races.