Best Mate is punters' friend (From Gazette Series)

Best Mate is punters' friend

BEST Mate cemented his place amongst the truly great names in steeplechasing history with a thrilling performance to take his third consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cup last week.

Under a superb ride from Jim Culloty, the Henrietta Knight-trained nine-year-old battled away from his rivals on the famous uphill run-in to win by half a length from Sir Rembrandt.

The victory was much to the relief of punters after three of 'the big four' had been turned over, including Baracouda in the race immediately beforehand.

Although on paper Best Mate was not facing his toughest challenge to date, the champion had to produce his very best in the closing stages of the race.

Rounding the turn for home Culloty found himself boxed in on the rails by Harbour Pilot, Sir Rembrandt and long-time leader First Gold.

But in an excellent piece of riding he bided his time and switched Best Mate to the outside and snatched the lead with a magnificent leap at the second last.

Harbour Pilot kept on at Best Mate over the last, but the champion eventually began to draw clear and passed the post half a length clear of the rallying Sir Rembrandt, with Harbour Pilot a further length and a quarter back in third.

The victory sparked scenes of jubilation rarely matched since Desert Orchid's triumph here in the same race in 1989.

Despite drifting to an eventual starting price of 8-11, Best Mate still had plenty of supporters and has already been installed as a firm 5-2 favourite for next year's race.

Earlier in the day the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Iris's Gift (9-2) hit the favourite backers hard with a length and a half victory over Baracouda.

Iris's Gift was prominent throughout the race and despite his French rival slashing his advantage between the last two obstacles, the grey held off the challenge for a famous victory.

The day had started with another surprise winner, as the Richard Johnson-ridden Made In Japan (20-1) took the honours in the Triumph Hurdle.

In the Foxhunters' Chase the ever popular thirteen-year-old Earthmover (14-1) took an unexpected victory, six years after his previous triumph in the race.

Our Armageddon (9-1) took the Cathcart Chase by two and a half lengths with a brave piece of front running, while the punters went home happy after two Ruby Walsh-ridden favourites - St Pirran (4-1) and Sporazene (7-1) - took the Grand Annual Chase and the County Hurdle respectively.

The three winning favourites on the final day of the festival were a welcome relief to punters who had seen just one oblige on each of the first two days.

It had all looked so different when Brave Inca (7-2) won the opener on the first day, but only Native Emperor (5-1) in Wednesday's National Hunt Cup could do likewise.

Instead, the first two days were all about who was beaten.

Thisthatandtother crashed out of the Arkle Chase at the second fence to allow Well Chief (9-1) to land the spoils.

Then Hardy Eustace (33-1), produced the shock of the festival by holding off the game Rooster Booster in the Champion Hurdle.

Wednesday was little better for the punters, as Our Vic was beaten into third by Rule Supreme (25-1) in the Royal and Sun Alliance Chase, while the odds-on Moscow Flyer unseated Barry Geraghty to allow Azertyuiop (15-8) to land the Queen Mother Champion Chase.