March 18th 2004 was a red letter day in National Hunt Racing, as it was Best Mate with an enormous weight of expectancy on him, who was the punters’ choice to emulate Arkle’s feats in the 1960s of 3 consecutive Gold Cup victories.
The heavily backed 8-11 favourite, trained by Henrietta Knight and ridden ably by Jim Culloty was poised to make modern racing history and achieve what many saw as impossible, especially as their racehorse would have to cope with ground softer than he would ideally have liked.
They’re Under Way!
The 76th ToteSport sponsored Cheltenham Gold Cup was under way and the 10 runners set off at a good pace, which had the field stretched almost right from the off.
The early running was made by the french horse, First Gold, ridden by Thierry Doumen who found himself and Harbor Pilot, partnered by Paul Carberry 2-3 lengths clear of the rest. All 10 runners and riders cleared the first 4 fences and the feverish 60,000 Prestbury Park crowd showed their appreciation as they headed round the turn for the first time.
Early Stages
With the early jostling for position over, the field was spread with First Gold still in the lead with Best Mate, handily placed in the chasing pack. The effortless efficiency with which Jim Culloty was guiding the 2-time winner around the course was an ominous sign for his rivals.
Beef or Salmon owned by Craig and McLarnon had achieved a better result than in 2003 by clearing the fence that had ended his race the year before, but was fading badly at the rear of the field.
The Chasing Pack
Over the 6th of 22 fences, First Gold was really working hard to maintain his lead, but Harbour Pilot was just ½ a length back and the chasing pack, which included, Irish Hussar, ridden by Mick Fitzgerald, the 10-1 shot Keen Leader and Best Mate, was beginning to make ground.
Even at this early stage, Alexander Banquet, the 100-1 outsider, ridden by A.P. McCoy had replaced Beef or Salmon at the rear of the field. This was probably due to the ferocious pace, still being made by First Gold.
At the Turn
Over the 13th now and the pack was almost up with the leader, with Alexander Banquet now out of sight. 9 became 8 when Irish Hussar pulled up at the 15th, as the pack, now led by 4 lengths by First Gold came to the 6th from home.
First Gold Falters
A mistake at the 4th from home by First Gold and the chasing field were upon him and quickly swallowed him up. It was now a 4 horse race as they sped down the hill for the last time.
Boxed In
Over the 3rd from home and favourite Best Mate found his chances of a 3rd consecutive win in jeopardy, as he became legitimately boxed in at the rail by Harbour Pilot.
Best Mate was made of the right stuff however, pulling wide at the 2nd from home to make his move. A palpable sense of euphoria from the attending crowd was cranked up another notch, as Jim Culloty sailed over the last in front to romp home to an historic win in a time of 6 minutes 42 seconds, taking the £203,000 purse in the process.
Jim Lewis and Henrietta Knight had done it again. 3 times a charm and the first horse to complete the treble in 40 years. A modern fairy tale as this amazing horse had achieved what had been thought to be out of reach of mere mortals.
Best Mate as good as Arkle? Nobody can be 100% sure, but what a race that would be to witness.
