Lewis welcomes Best's old mates

Owner Jim Lewis is excited at the prospect of Best Mate being been given a thorough test on his intended seasonal debut.

The nine-year-old could face the Robert Alner-trained pair Sir Rembrandt and Kingscliff in the inaugural running of the £60,000 (€90,100) William Hill Chase at Exeter on November 19.

Best Mate’s campaign is set to start there as his season is geared towards a fourth successive Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph.

“The two miles and seven furlongs of the Exeter race is just about right. He probably wouldn’t want it any shorter than that,” Lewis told At The Races.

“But I know they’re all going to come now – Sir Rembrandt and Kingscliff. It’ll be exciting.”

He also gave an upbeat bulletin on his other stable star Edredon Bleu, who is being aimed at the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon, which he has won four times

“He’s a 12-year-old now, and wouldn’t it be wonderful if he could win another Peterborough Chase?

"That really would be something else!”

Impek, on the other hand, is being aimed at the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.

“He owes us a big race, but he’s maturing now, and looking good. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the King George. He deserves to be in it. The right-handed flat track at Kempton will suit.”