TRIPLE Gold Cup winner Best Mate is to have his ashes laid to rest behind the winning post at Cheltenham prior to the start of racing next Saturday (December 10).

There will be a brief ceremony on the course at 11am to commemorate the racing world's outstanding chaser, who died after collapsing at Exeter on November 1.

Best Mate's owner, Callow End-based Jim Lewis, is pleased that the great horse will be honoured in a place that will always be in view of the race-going public.

He said: "Best Mate became the 'people's champion'. They loved him and he loved them. He will be at rest at the scene of his greatest triumphs."

Best Mate won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2002, 2003 and 2004 and was the first triple-winner since Arkle in the 1960s.

He was pulled out of the race this year due to illness but was lined-up to have another attempt in March.