Best Mate is set to make his eagerly-awaited reappearance in the William Hill Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on November 1.

The minutes are ticking away towards Best Mate’s date with destiny and Henrietta Knight’s superstitions are starting to get the better of her.

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.