Best Mate’s much-anticipated racecourse return saw him pulled up in the William Hill Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter.

Best Mate’s connections received a timely boost before his imminent reappearance as stablemate Impek gained a deserved success in the Bonusprint.com Old Roan Chase at Aintree.

Darlington owner David Metcalfe’s run of success continued when Mecca’s Mate won the Grampian Country Food Group Handicap at York today in the hands of Fergal Lynch.

Best Mate’s owner Jim Lewis confirmed yesterday that his pride and joy will add some extra festive cheer to the Leopardstown Christmas Festival by bidding for a repeat win in the showpiece Lexus Chase.

Best Mate has been supported to complete a Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup hat-trick next year by a Ladbrokes punter in Ireland.

Gazing at the grey skies above her stables at West Lockinge Farm near Wantage, Henrietta Knight exuded a sense of relief that rain is in the offing.

LEADING French jumps trainer Guillaume Macaire has assembled a formidable raiding party to challenge for big Christmas prizes at Kempton and Chepstow.