Cheltenham will honour Best Mate

The triple-Cheltenham Gold Cup winner collapsed with a suspected heart attack at Exeter Racecourse during the William Hill Haldon Gold Cup on Tuesday.

He was cremated because Devon County Council refused burial by the racetrack rails at the spot where he died - the wish of owner Jim Lewis.

An Exeter Racecourse spokesman said they would await instructions from Mr Lewis about the disposal of the ashes.

Lewis said he was planning a memorial service for the racing great following the cremation.

"We've had loads of messages from all over the world and it is very moving," he said. "We thank everybody for being so supportive. We appreciate it."

We tried very hard to meet the wishes of the owner to have the animal buried here Geoffrey Billson, Exeter racecourse managing director

Richard Ross MP has called on the government to issue an official statement explaining why Best Mate could not be buried at Exeter racecourse.

Owner Jim Lewis had been told that European law prohibited such a burial.

But the Teignbridge MP requested a more detailed explanation during exchanges in the House of Commons on Thursday.

He said the ruling was "against the wishes" of Lewis and the racecourse.

Addressing Commons leader Geoff Hoon, Ross said: "Could you ensure there is a statement from the secretary of state at Defra (Department for environment, food and rural affairs), as to why the horse was not allowed to be buried at the course?"

Hoon replied: "I don't know the answer to your question but I will try and find out."

Defra and trading standards immediately blocked moves to bury the horse where he fell under Euro legislation brought in after the 2001 outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

"We tried very hard to meet the wishes of the owner to have the animal buried here," said course managing director Geoffrey Billson.