Best Mate jumping`s new hero

National Hunt racing`s eternal search for the latest superstar threw up another potential great at Cheltenham today when Best Mate powered to a thrilling victory in a vintage Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Jump racing fans look to have a star to savour for years to come as the seven-year-old belied his relative inexperience to beat the best Britain and Ireland had to offer.

In a race, that witnessed two previous champions in Looks Like Trouble and See More Business at the head of affairs for most of the way, Best Mate loomed large on the scene from four out and galloped on resolutely to stamp his place in the record books.

A stiff gallop was ensured from the start as defending champion Looks Like Trouble led from the off. See More Business harried his rival and responded to Joe Tizzard`s urgings to hit the front after the fourth last.

The race began to unfold from three out with Looks Like Trouble and Florida Pearl (who had travelled well on the outside of the leaders) starting to weaken.

Best Mate (7-1) had moved effortlessly to track the leaders with Commanche Court also moving into a challenging position.

Turning for home it was left to three to battle for the glory as See More Business led Commanche Court with Best Mate travelling ominously well on the inside.

Over two out Commanche Court (25-1) was not helped by a sloppy jump but Best Mate was already gaining the advantage.

Running to the last it was Best Mate who had made his way for home and hard as Commanche Court tried he couldn`t peg him back as the winner dismissed any suggestions that he didn`t get every inch of the Gold Cup trip by coming home a length-and-three-quarters to the good.

See More Business (40-1) covered himself with glory by staying on for third, eight lengths farther back.

Winning trainer Henrietta Knight said: 'I`ve always said he was the perfect racehorse so I knew he`d stay three miles plus. Jim (Culloty) gave him a super ride, always in the right place. He made a mistake at the same fence twice but otherwise it was a magic round.'

And on watching the race she admitted: 'I knew I`d have to pull myself together one day!'

Jockey Jim Culloty was absolutely delighted afterwards and said: 'He`s got the engine. I was always cruising, I got squeezed a little bit as Joe`s came across me but I wasn`t panicking because I didn`t want to get there too soon anyway.

'I just wanted to wait until they straightened up and god he`s picked up.'

Terry Biddlecombe, the trainer`s husband, who partnered Woodland Venture to victory in 1967, said: 'It`s unbelievable. The horse was prepared for this day and Jim rode to orders - he always does. I told him to go to the second last on the inner - the fence is smaller there.'

An overwhelmed owner Jim Lewis said: 'I`ve had some good fun in my day but to win a Gold Cup with a horse so young - I could cry.'

Ted Walsh, who trained Commanche Court, was downcast but gracious in defeat.

He said: 'It is so hard to win a Gold Cup, you see people here for 25 years, 50 years never good enough to win one. I hope I`ll get my turn but it was a privilege to be second to such a good horse and beat a Gold Cup winner.

'But I must say I`m heartbroken at the moment.

'It was a wonderful occasion and I`m delighted he ran so well and I only hope to get back here again some day.'

Paul Nicholls was overjoyed with the run of his veteran, See More Business.

He said: 'It`s like winning it all over again. Delighted with him and obviously a very good young horse has won the race, he`s a star of the future.

'See More`s been there and won the race and I was just elated for the horse to come out and run so well. Joe gave him a fantastic ride.'