National not ruled out for Mate
Jim Lewis today shed further light on the possibility that his triple Gold Cup winner Best Mate could have a crack at a future renewal of the John Smith’s Grand National.
Although Best Mate is not entered for this year’s Aintree spectacular on April 9, Lewis has said the National may enter the equation at some point.
But running there may mean sacrificing another Gold Cup tilt for the Henrietta Knight-trained champion.
“We half debated – just in jest – that we might put him in this time, but Henrietta rang me just just before the entries closed and we decided not to bother,” Lewis told Racing UK.
“I’d never say never, but the problem with the Grand National is that it is very close to the Gold Cup.
“If it was a hard-fought Gold Cup and he figured in the first three or four, you would be a bit naughty to stick him in the Grand National less than three weeks later.
“The fences are not as bad as they used to be, though, and we know he stays, absolutely.
“If he was to be entered, and run, then you would have to consider not running in the Gold Cup – there is the rub. We will have our committee meeting and then decide, but I’m not sure what Henrietta would have to say about it.”
And when asked about a possible National tilt, Miss Knight replied: “Oh God. Don’t ask me questions like that. Ask me the question this time next year!”
Having scrambled home for a short-head defeat of Seebald on his seasonal bow, Best Mate was put in his place by Beef Or Salmon in the Lexus Chase over Christmas but still heads the betting for the totesport-sponsored Gold Cup.
However, the gelding faces an ever-increasing strong challenge in the blue riband with Saturday’s impressive Pillar winner Grey Abbey, Beef Or Salmon, Kingscliff and Strong Flow all on course for the March 18 event.
Given the hot-looking nature of this year’s renewal, Lewis admits it looks a fascinating race, but believes it will take a very good horse to halt Best Mate’s Gold Cup domination.
“Henrietta reports him to be back in good form after Ireland and come March we will just pray for some decent ground – but it does look like being a great Gold Cup this time,” he said.
“I hope it is a great spectacle and that we are part of it.
“It looks like being a classy race and there are plenty in it that have proved their worth at Cheltenham, but at the end of the day it is the ground for Best Mate and how he is on the day.
“I think if Henrietta gets him to the tapes as fit as he has been the last three years, then it will be a very good horse that beats him.”
