Mate not at his best – and that’s official

BEST MATE failed to produce “the same quality of performance” when recording his third successive victory in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, according to British Horseracing Board handicapper Phil Smith.

Henrietta Knight’s nine-year-old remains on an official mark of 175 after equalling the record of the legendary Arkle last Thursday.

Best Mate just held on to beat Sir Rembrandt by half a length in chasing’s blue riband event, with Harbour Pilot a further length and a quarter back in third and Smith believes this was not Best Mate’s finest performance at Prestbury Park.