always behind, lost touch 7th, tailed off
held up, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, stayed on approaching last, nearest finish
held up in touch, headway 11th, short of room and slightly hampered on inside bend after 3 out, pushed along to lead 2 out, stayed on gamely
led, hit 4 out, soon ridden, headed approaching 2 out, weakened
chased leader, mistake 2nd, ridden and edged slightly left after 3 out, led briefly approaching 2 out, no extra final 100 yards
prominent, hit 7th and lost place, headway again after next, weakened quickly approaching 14th, behind when pulled up before 15th
in touch, pushed along 16th, weakened after 5 out, tailed off
held up, not fluent 4th (water), hit 5 out, every chance after 3 out, stayed on well after last, went 2nd close home
held up in rear, mistake 9th, not fluent next, headway when not fluent 12th, weakened approaching 4 out, finished tired, tailed off
held up in rear, not fluent 13th, pushed along and weakened 16th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
Is it too much to ask that we can witness another piece of racing history as Best Mate attempts to become only the fourth horse in the history of this great race to win the Gold Cup three times? Such is the nature of the true racing fan, admirably and exceptionally epitomised by Cheltenham crowds, that there can hardly be anyone who does not fervently hope that the eight-year-old gelding can live up to his billing and earn the right to such acclaim. And we are firmly in that camp. We not only want him to win but believe that he will. He has proven, once again, that he the best staying chaser in these isles and is the one that they all have to beat. All things being equal, the question is who will be his main danger? We have a sneaking fancy for Nicky Henderson's Irish Hussar, as long as the going is not too lively. His trainer has always rated him very highly but the eight-year-old has suffered from sore shins. However, he is said to be working particularly well at home in Lambourn and can run a big race. Other names to consider are last year's runner-up Truckers Tavern, whose stable has yet to really hit form this year, and the third, Harbour Pilot, who comes into this race relatively fresh and was possibly an unlucky loser last time in Leopardstown's Hennessy Gold Cup. We think he will go well too. Ireland's great novice hope last year, Beef Or Salmon, had his colours lowered in last year's race but, despite some injury problems during the current campaign, has made the line-up again, and should be a stronger and smarter horse this time around. He has a bit to find with Best Mate on his last run but, on the upside, his trainer has always rated him very highly so it would be foolish to dismiss his chance today. First Gold was pulled up in this race last year but blinkers then rejuvenated him at Aintree and Punchestown. He returned this season with a very good third in the King George at Kempton but is probably better on flatter tracks than the ups and downs of Prestbury Park. It's a case of what might have been with the injury-prone Alexander Banquet who looks held on form but could yet go on to run well in the Martell Cognac Grand National, but Keen Leader remains a horse who could yet scale the heights if getting his jumping together. Sir Rembrandt ran a brave race to finish second in the Welsh National at Christmas but has disappointed since. That said, connections feel that they have corrected some minor injuries and are hopeful of a good run. This leaves us with the Martin Pipe-trained Therealbandit. Still only a novice, connections have elected to run him here instead of in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase. Much as it is rare for a novice to win staying chasing's blue riband event, the seven-year-old has looked hugely promising in winning two of his three starts over fences, although he fell when stepped up in class last time for the Pillar Property Chase. As we say, he looks a horse of undoubted promise and class but it is asking a great deal of a horse to win the Gold Cup after just two completed chase runs. This leads us back to Best Mate. Not only is he a lovely-looking horse but he jumps well, is athletic, well-balanced, has a huge amount of class and really seems to enjoy racing. Wonderfully handled by Henrietta Knight and her team, the hats will be flying if he creates a piece of racing history, and we take him to do just that.
