Mate and Salmon on course for Gold Cup clash

A MOUTH-WATERING clash between Best Mate and Beef Or Salmon in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup remains on the cards after the pair yesterday figured in a record 49 entries for the race on March 13.

Henrietta Knight's Best Mate will be bidding to become the first dual winner of chasing's blue riband for more than 30 years L'Escargot, successful in 1970 and 1971, was the last horse to win more than one Gold Cup.

The only others to have achieved the feat are Arkle (1964, 1965 and 1966), Cottage Rake (1948, 1949 and 1950), Golden Miller (1932, 1933, 1934, 1935 and 1936) and Easter Hero (1929 and 1930).