TRAINER Henrietta Knight today reported her dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Best Mate in 'great form' ahead of his third attempt at the prestigious contest later this month.

The nine-year-old, owned by Callow End's Jim Lewis, is seeking to become the first horse since Arkle to win chasing's Blue Riband three times.

Best Mate has run twice so far this season, finishing second to Jair Du Cochet in the Tote Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon last November before a decisive success in the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown in December.

Speaking today at her West Lockinge yard, Knight said: "Best Mate has had a let-down since Leopardstown but is in great form. He will have a couple more gallops before Cheltenham.

"We shall not turn him out any more before Cheltenham in the paddocks because he likes a roll and bucking. He just goes for a walk in the afternoon with Jackie Jenner at the moment.

"We had a goal from the day he won last year and that was to get him there again on March 18 this year. If you have a top horse there are not many races to run in and not that many other horses in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup have run many times either.

"I'm finding it a strain this year, the thought of getting beaten is horrendous. We are trying to do everything the same this year as it worked before," said Knight.

"If Best Mate doesn't win it will take a bit of digesting as there was a big downer after Huntingdon."