Gold Cup shock as Best Mate ruled out

Henrietta Knight's dreams of landing a fourth consecutive Gold Cup at Cheltenham next week were left in ruins today when Best Mate pulled up with blood streaming from his nostrils in what was meant to be his final workout before next Friday's Festival showpiece.

The popular 10-year-old, who had been as short as 9-4 favourite to land the £350,000 contest, had been sent on the short journey to Mick Channon's West Ilsley gallops.

A similar plan had worked in each of the last three seasons, but trainer Knight knew something was badly wrong when the gelding lost his place and was pulled up and taken back to his West Lockinge stable to be treated for broken blood vessels.

Knight feels that the setback is probably linked to a virus Best Mate was suffering when beaten by Beef Or Salmon at Leopardstown over Christmas, but is adamant that the problem will not be career threatening.

"He was pulled up and we immediately found blood coming from both his nostrils," she said. "He has never broken blood vessels in his life before and the vet has said that he needs to rest."

The withdrawal has spared bookmakers a massive payout and leaves Kingscliff as the new 7-2 Gold Cup favourite with sponsors Totesport.