Confidence high over Best Mate

Confidence over Best Mate`s chance in Thursday`s Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup is high after trainer Henrietta Knight`s husband Terry Biddlecombe walked the course at Cheltenham today.

Biddlecombe said afterwards: 'Best Mate is very, very well and he will love the decent ground out there.

'I have every reason to believe he`ll stay the Gold Cup trip all right as he`ll be ridden by Jim (Culloty) who gets on so well with him.

'I think he`s the one they have all got to beat as he was staying on nicely in the King George behind Florida Pearl and they might have gone a bit too fast for him early on that day. He`ll do for me in any case.'

Of the stable`s other big race entries, Biddlecombe said of Edredon Bleu, who is favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase, 'He`s very well in himself and should go well.

'But I think he`ll get a run for his money from Flagship Uberalles as he beat us at Sandown and looks to have been trained for this race, but then so have we.'

However, unless the much forecast rain arrives at Prestbury Park, Biddlecombe fears the drying conditions could be against Foly Pleasant, who is set to shoulder top weight in the Mildmay Of Flete Handicap Chase.

He said: 'The ground out there should suit all of our horses. However, Foly Pleasant is the one who might want it a bit softer as that`s what he`s won on, but he should go well enough as he`s used to carrying plenty of weight.'

Biddlecombe assessed the ground conditions at the course by adding: 'You wouldn`t want too much rain on it as it is still a bit tacky in places, but all in all the course is in good nick.'