Best Mate will have just two races before the Gold Cup

Knight organised a special open day for fans to see the popular chaser, who will this season attempt to equal the record of the legendary Arkle with a third Gold Cup success.

The eight-year-old will once again have a light racing timetable ahead of the Cheltenham showpiece in March with his seasonal debut scheduled for the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon on 22 November.

All being well, he will then aim for the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day and will then be rested until the Gold Cup itself.

"Best Mate loves an audience, has summered really well here at Lockinge and is in tremendous form. He is my idea of the perfect racehorse," said Knight.

"We will not ask him to concede lumps of weight in handicaps and we want to preserve him.

"There are not many races he can run in anyway and by giving him just three races a year, the public will hopefully be able to watch him on the racecourse for many years to come."