track leader, led after 9th, hit 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headed flat, rallied well to lead close home
track leaders, headway 13th, pressed winner from 4 out, ridden to lead flat, no extra when headed final stride
led, mistake 9th, ridden after 12th, hung left after 13th, ran wide on bend approaching 4 out, mistake next, soon weakened, eased
held up behind leaders, went 3rd 4 out, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last
In this eagerly awaited contest, Best Mate gets the call over Sir Rembrandt and Seebald. This race sees the return of the triple Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning hero Best Mate, connections having declared themselves delighted with the going after walking the track on Tuesday. His appearance will swell the gate, not least with members of the press and media. He will be sent off as favourite for this race and his biggest danger seems to come in the shape of Sir Rembrandt, who finished half-a-length behind Best Mate when the pair met in this year's Gold Cup. With the latter having had a run this season, he could well present a serious challenge to Best Mate, although we will stick with the Henrietta Knight-trained nine-year-old. Last year's Ascot Chase winner, Hand Inn Hand, and Martin Pipe's Queen Mother Champion Chase fifth and recent Haldon Gold Cup runner-up Seebald rate as lively opponents, while it is good to see the 2002 National Hunt Chase winner, Frenchman's Creek, back in action following an injury. However, it is difficult not to be excited by the presence here of Best Mate and we feel he can make a winning seasonal return.
