WHEN Worcestershire horse Best Mate galloped to a famous success in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March many suspected that the big jumps prizes would be his for the taking over the next few seasons.

Henrietta Knight's strapping seven year old, owned by Jim Lewis from Callow End, did nothing but enhance that reputation with a tremendous battling performance in the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton last Thursday.

It was a success which provided plenty of Christmas cheer for punters in the £150,000 showpiece.

Ecstatic owner Lewis said: "He's never been able to prove himself against the big horses on a fast course like this and I'm just over the moon.

"Now I'm beginning to believe the hype. I've ignored it before because my heart wouldn't stand it but now I'm beginning to believe it."

The 11-8 favourite chance now returns to Cheltenham in March to attempt back-to-back wins in the Tote Gold Cup, for which he is a best priced 5-2 with Coral.

In a race of changing fortunes, Best Mate and McCoy hit the front at the fifth last fence but were joined at the next by last year's winner Florida Pearl and suddenly the champion had to ask his mount for an effort. However, as Florida Pearl and Native Upmanship faded in the testing conditions, it was Marlborough and Bacchanal who challenged.

Approaching the final fence it seemed possible that either could get there but a slightly sticky jump by Marlborough gave the advantage back to Best Mate, who stayed on doggedly to win by one and a half lengths.

There were a further four lengths back to early front-runner Bacchanal, with the trio a long way clear of Florida Pearl.