Mate On Course For Exeter

Henrietta Knight reports Best Mate to be in rude health ahead of his intended seasonal debut at Exeter next month.

The 10-year-old missed his chance to bid for an unprecedented fourth Cheltenham Gold Cup victory in March after breaking a blood vessel on the gallops.

The Jim Lewis-owned gelding is now back to full fitness though, and is set to take his chance in the William Hill Haldon Gold Cup Chase at Exeter on November 1.

'He is in great shape and we are very happy with him,' Knight told At The Races.

'He´s really well at the moment and the plan is still to give him an outing at Exeter.'

Best Mate had just two outings last season and was found to be under the weather after losing to Beef Or Salmon in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown last December.

He was put on a course of antibiotics as a consequence but Knight is confident her leading light is over that set-back and is hoping he can still make his presence felt at next year´s Festival.

'You never know everything but the virus has not done any permanent damage and he should make a 100% recovery,' she said.

'He´s still got a low mileage and can probably go on a bit longer having missed that time (when he suffered a broken blood vessel).

'He certainly seems very sprightly and a lot of horses have won the Gold Cup when they are 12 and 13 so there´s no reason why he shouldn´t keep going for two more Gold Cups.

'All eyes are on Kicking King and not so much on `Matey´ so it is a bit easier.

'He´s still very much the focal point in England though and is certainly not the forgotten horse.'

(C) PA Sport