Best Mate tipped for 2006 Grand National

Triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate could race in the 2006 Grand National, owner Jim Lewis has said.

10:45 29 January 2005

Triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate could race in the 2006 Grand National, owner Jim Lewis has said.

The 10-year-old was tipped to enter this year's race at Aintree but Lewis and trainer Henrietta Knight are focussing on the four-and-a-half-mile marathon next year.

Lewis said he expected Best Mate to run three races and the Grand National in 2006.

"These days the fences are not so dangerous. Best Mate would not have to carry more than 11st 12lb and most of his rivals would be out of the handicap," he said.

Best Mate is on course for Cheltenham and 3-1 favourite for the Gold Cup despite losing to Beef Or Salmon in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown last month.