Triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate is likely to be remembered at the scene of his greatest triumphs in the form of a statue.

Tony McCoy described Best Mate as “the best steeplechaser we’ve seen around for a long time” as he paid tribute to the triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, who died at Exeter on Tuesday.

Henrietta Knight paid tribute to the horse that “put my stable on the map” after triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate tragically collapsed and died of a suspected heart attack at Exeter yesterday.

Best Mate, runner-up 12 months ago, went one better in the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton Park today.