William Hill back Mate race

BOOKMAKERS William Hill are to sponsor the entire card at Exeter in November which is due to feature the reappearance of Best Mate.

The triple Gold Cup winner is being aimed at the £60,000 William Hill Chase, which is also the target for Sir Rembrandt, runner-up to Best Mate at Cheltenham in March, and his stablemate Kingscliff.

Best Mate’s trainer Henrietta Knight said: “We are delighted that William Hill is sponsoring and Exeter is able to put on this race.

“Subject to the ground and the horse’s well-being, this will definitely be Best Mate’s first race of the season.”

The meeting on Friday, Nov 19, is set to be carried live by the BBC.

This new sponsorship is in addition to that of the William Hill Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter 17 days earlier.

David Harding, William Hill chief executive, said: “We're proud to be extending our association with Exeter”.