Best Mate in Gold Cup triumph

Best Mate, described by trainer Henrietta Knight as "the perfect racehorse", stormed home to win the 2002 Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup today.

Also rated "the next Arkle" by his handler, the sevenyearold beat Commanche Court and former winner See More Business on the uphill run-in to take the £174,000 first prize.

It was a popular success for Miss Knight and her husband, Terry Biddlecombe, who himself won the 1967 Gold Cup as a jockey on Woodland Venture. Uncharacteristically, Knight watched the race - she is often to be found skulking in the car park when her best horses run.

She must have been in no doubt of Best Mate's chance.

Neither must jockey Jim Culloty, even as he was recording by far the biggest victory of his career. The 7-1 winner, carrying the claret and blue colours of owner Jim Lewis, an ardent Aston Villa supporter, was never under pressure.

Lobbing along as title-holder Looks Like Trouble made a bold bid to lead all the way, once again under Richard Johnson.

The Irish briefly scented victory as the field turned for home, as Ruby Walsh conjured a serious challenge from 25-1 shot Commanche Court. But Best Mate picked up readily when asked by Culloty and ran out a comfortable length-andthreequarter victor.

See More Business, the 1999 champion, stayed on stoutly for third place, having taken on Looks Like Trouble for the lead on the second circuit.

After a number of surprising mistakes at his fences, Johnson's mount could find no more on the turn for home.

L'Escargot remains the last horse to win successive titles, in

1971. At a mere seven, Best Mate must have one of the better chances of assuming that mantle. He is 8-1 to complete the double next March.

Star-spangled challenge
The Clare Balding column