ALAN King's smart chaser Medermit is set to miss the first half of the season after suffering a setback in training.
The eight-year-old grey won the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on his seasonal reappearance last term and went on to run some terrific races in defeat, particularly when a close third in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
King had been looking forward to seeing his charge return in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree later this month.
"It's a shame, but Medermit will certainly be out for the first half of this season, and we will review the situation again on the run up to Christmas," the trainer told his website alankingracing.co.uk.
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