JIM Lewis knows that history will be against him this week when Best Mate returns to Cheltenham.

Lewis' eight-year-old wonder horse, which so gloriously brought the Gold Cup to Worcestershire last March with the kind of Hollywood finish dreams are made of, will once again line up for the world famous three-and-a-half-mile event on Thursday.

The 68-year-old owner, though, is only too well aware that one Gold Cup is rare enough. Two is just not done.

Not since L'Escargot's heroics in 1970 and 1971 have back-to-back Gold Cups been won and, despite Best Mate being the class horse in the field once again, Lewis knows he'll have his work cut out.

"We've got something to go for. Maybe it's about time that record was broken," he said before setting off to the three-day festival from his Callow End, near Worcester, home.

"The nature of the race dictates that it's a difficult one to win because everybody carries the same weight and it comes down to the horse and the jockey.

"There is certainly more of a feeling of responsibility this year and a little apprehension having become the champion. It brings a lot of added pressure being the holder.

"Henrietta Knight (Best Mate's trainer) has got the responsibility to get him to the tapes in good form and then you are conscious of the thousands of pounds which must have been backed for him to get to 6/4.

"This morning, for example, there was a £50,000 bet put on him so the expectation is there," said Lewis.

"It's a frightening responsibility. It does make a hell of a difference because there's nothing worse than trying to cope with something that hasn't happened yet.

"This year we're expected to win the thing. Last year, we weren't."

And although this season has brought the small matter of the King George VI title at Kempton, that legendry sprint to the line 12 months ago still seems like a dream for the self proclaimed "apprentice pensioner."

"It's the sort of thing you see happen to other people and you are very happy for them! Never in your wildest dreams do you think it would happen to you," said Lewis.

"Of course you hope it will because that's why you get involved. You never imagine that it will happen but, when it did, I was just determined to enjoy it because it was a one-off.

"I've been enjoying it ever since! I said in an interview -- after the race -- look out Callow End because, in my heart of hearts, I wanted to go home and celebrate there.

"So we went back and the pub there -- The Old Bush -- put a Best Mate sign on and got blue and maroon balloons all over the place to celebrate.

"There were about 200 people in there and it was a truly magical time.

"That's the part that you enjoy. To be able to share your luck with people, it's wonderful.

"The people have always been very good to me so it was lovely that they could share in the good luck."

So what odds on another party at The Old Bush this week? Well, pretty short at present.

"Beef Or Salmon is being talked up within informed racing circles but, for the life-long Aston Villa fan, Best Mate's biggest threat may well be a familiar one.

"Beef Or Salmon is seven years old," said Lewis. "There are parallels between him and Best Mate from last year.

"The only difference being he is still a novice where Best Mate wasn't.

"There are unknown factors about him and we'll only know on the day whether he's got enough to rank with the big boys.

"I wouldn't say he is the biggest danger. My belief is that Commanche Court is our biggest threat, which would be the same as last year.

"I would be more than happy, though, for a repeat of last year! If that happened, I'll still be doing cartwheels when it's gone dark."

Somehow you get the feeling that Callow End might never recover!