TRAGIC LOSS OF BEST MATE


Commenting on the tragic loss of Best Mate after his heart attack at Exeter this afternoon Victor Chandler, Chairman of VC Bet, said "Best Mate's death is a terrible blow for the whole of the racing industry. Not only was he a brilliant triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner but he also became a racing institution. Those who only had a passing interest in the racing game were wholly converted by the achievements of Henrietta Knight's star. His Gold Cup successes cost the bookmaking industry millions but it was worth every penny to have such a star".

Horseracing legend Best Mate has been cremated after Devon council would not allow him to be buried at Exeter Racecourse.

Best Mate's owner Jim Lewis wanted to bury the horse near to where he died of a heart attack while making his racing comeback.

Mr Lewis said: 'We've had loads of messages from all over the world and it is very moving. We thank everybody for being so supportive. We appreciate it.'

Tributes to Best Mate have poured in since his death. Jockey Tony McCoy said he was 'the best steeplechaser we've seen around for a long time'.

'Arkle won three Gold Cups and it was a long time before another horse came along to achieve the same as he did so I'm sure it will be pretty much the same with Best Mate,' he added.

The immensely popular horse, trained by Henrietta Knight, was making his first public outing since running in Ireland last Christmas due to a burst blood vessel.

The ten-year-old had initially looked in good form during his run in the William Hill Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter, but he grew noticeably uncomfortable before collapsing

CERIUM HEADS THE ARKLE MARKET

Paul Nicholls’ Cerium made a good impression on his debut over fences at Warwick when comfortably holding off J P McManus’ expensive recruit Garde Champetre and was left unchanged at 8-1 at the head of the market with VC Bet for the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham next March.

A good fourth at the Festival meeting in the Triumph Hurdle his trainer reckoned he was over the top when disappointing two weeks later at the Aintree Grand National meeting.

VC Bet’s Neal Wilkins commented “Apart from one mistake in the early stages of the race Cerium jumped wholly adequately for a novice and his chance must be respected particularly bearing in mind that as a four-year-old at present he will receive all the alloawances. We laid him at a big price for the Arkle after his fourth in the Triumph Hurdle and believe he has set a standard for the other novices this winter”.

Racing Demon Impresses

Racing Demon jumped to the head of the market for the Arkle Chase with VC Bet after his impressive win over fences at Exeter. Henrietta Knight’s five year old comfortably held the challenge of chief market rival Chilling Place and was cut from 12-1 to 8-1 co favourite with VC Bet.

“This was a fine display of jumping and on a day that proved so tragic for Henrietta Knight with the loss of stable star Best Mate there could be a rising star in Racing Demon” commented VC Bet’s Neal Wilkins.

Victor Chandler Bookmaker