The 8-13 favourite trounced a small but good-quality field by 20 lengths, and is now considered a leading candidate for next year's Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Bookmakers William Hill make the six-year gelding, trained by Henrietta Knight, 8-1 third favourite for the blue riband event behind First Gold (5-1) and Sackville (7-1).

At Exeter, Jim Culloty's mount cruised clear of his three rivals, all trained by Paul Nicholls.

Desert Mountain (14-1) trailed in second, with Fadalko and Cenkos well beaten.

The win gives Knight and Culloty an enviable dilemma in looking forward to the Cheltenham Festival in March 2002.

They already have a Gold Cup contender in Lord Noelie, who was going well when tipping up at the third last in the Charlie Hall Chase won by Sackville on Saturday.

After the Haldon Gold Cup, Best Mate returned to a rapturous reception from the appreciative west country crowd.

And Knight said: "I don't think I'll ever have another horse like this in my yard in my lifetime as he's got a great attitude and simply loves it."

She said the First National Bank Chase at Ascot later in November and the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day were future options.

Paul Nicholls was understandably downhearted by Fadalko's lacklustre effort as he was beaten 35 lengths into third place.