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Racing: Mate displays amazing grace

Gold Cup winner returns with near-flawless performance to give trainer fifth Peterborough Chase on trot

Sue Montgomery
Sunday 24 November 2002 01:00 GMT
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To the relief of Best Mate's growing fan club, but particularly its founder member, Henrietta Knight, the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner began the defence of his crown in all but impeccable style in the Peterborough Chase here yesterday.

The seven-year-old champion emerged from close-season wraps looking a picture: his physique has the perfection of an equine David, while the fluidity of his jumping is poetic. And his owner, Jim Lewis, made the musical contribution with a post-race rendition of his horse's name to the tune of, appropriately, "Amazing Grace".

Yesterday's display definitely owed more to the arts than science, but for those of a statistical bent Best Mate, ridden by Jim Culloty, beat the much-vaunted French challenger, Douze Douze, by eight lengths, with Geos two-and-a-half lengths third, a performance which resulted in the winner hardening as favourite for both the King George VI Chase and the Gold Cup.

It was the fifth Peterborough Chase success in a row for Knight, after Edredon Bleu's four-timer in the race, but, as usual, she did not see a single fence jumped, remaining true to her reluctance to tempt fate by watching her stars in action. "I went and sat on a trailer in the lorry park," the trainer said, "and then heard the commentary of the two fences in the straight as I walked back."

By that point, the Grade Two contest was just about in safe keeping. Best Mate had set off in front, with each successive leap testifying to his wellbeing, and although pressed by the giant six-year-old Douze Douze, he had only to be shaken up by Culloty to come clear between the last two fences.

Only the hypercritical would point to the couple of occasions on which Best Mate and Culloty disagreed about the take-off point. The gelding's fencing was a joy to watch and he was cat-like when too close.

"He is 100 per cent athlete," said the jockey, "and today showed just how adaptable he is. It does not really suit him having to front-run and the ground was cut up and rather sticky. But all he needed was one slap in the straight and he was off. I was absolutely delighted with him – he's growing up all the time."

This was only Best Mate's eighth steeplechase. His ninth will be the King George, in which Florida Pearl beat him last year, 32 days hence, but there is a caveat over his presence at Kempton.

"If there is any liveliness to the ground he will not run," said Knight, who has Edredon Bleu in reserve for the Grade One event. "He felt the effects of last year's race for a long time. He was jarred through his shoulders and it took us eight weeks to get him right."

Best Mate's only hiccup through the summer came when he was cast in his box, acquiring a dent in his forehead in the process, but it was impossible for the biggest crowd here since Desert Orchid drew 10,000 for his penultimate appearance to fault his looks or demeanour. The subtle, underlying dapple pattern on his bay coat glowed in the low, fitful winter sunshine and his loose-limbed walk took him past his rivals in the parade ring, never mind the race.

"It is always a strain with a horse like this," added Knight, "to have to prove that he's come through the summer, and not to disappoint all the people who have come to see him. This is not an ideal course – he really needs a stiffer test. But it seems the engine is as good as it has always been."

Best Mate is a tall horse, but so well put together as to banish any thoughts of ungainliness. The same cannot be said for Douze Douze, who came here with a reputation to match his huge size – Tresor De Mai, following him round the parade ring, looked like the free sample you get with the big box – and indeed, acquitted himself well enough on his first encounter with British birch, despite a couple of lurches through it that had his jockey, Jaques Ricou, using his cab arm for balance. Trainer Guillaume Macaire's intention is to return for a rematch with Best Mate at Kempton, by when he intends to iron out the wrinkles in the chestnut's technique. "The mistakes were a good warning for him, which he will heed," said Macaire. "Also, he was not at all fully fit today. I promise by the time we come back he will be a perfect horse."

The plaudits were Best Mate's, but he had to share the prize for style with Paul Freeman, a factory supervisor from Telford, who resigned from his job on live TV after winning a total of £517,141 in the Tote Scoop6 bet. The 24-year-old had to endure a tense run-in as his selection Brooklyn's Gold prevailed by a neck in the two-mile handicap hurdle. "I make plastic bags for a living," said Freeman during his celebratory interview, "and I would like to now hand in my notice."

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