Henrietta Knight has confirmed Best Mate a runner in the Capel Cure Sharp Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham tomorrow rather than the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle 24 hours later.
The five-year-old finished two and half lengths behind Monsignor - favourite for Wednesday's race - in the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown on his most recent start, and after discussing the options with owner Jim Lewis, the trainer said: "He will definitely run in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. We schooled him on Sunday and he was excellent - he's right on course."
Best Mate won a novices' hurdle at Sandown on his hurdling debut in December having won a Cheltenham bumper on his previous start.
Miss Knight also confirmed that her talented novice Lord Noelie will "definitely run" in Wednesday's Royal & SunAlliance Chase following earlier concerns about the possibility of sticky ground at Cheltenham.
The trainer said: "He schooled nicely yesterday morning and he's in good form."
However, despite Lord Noelie's prominent position in the betting (5-1 with Coral), Miss Knight is cautious about her horse's chances.
She said: "I'm not certain Cheltenham is his course, even though he's been around there once - I think he's better on a flatter course."
The Wantage-based trainer also had encouraging news regarding her Queen Mother Champion Chase candidate Edredon Bleu.
"He's very fresh and well and he's much quicker over his fences when the ground is fast," she said.
Looking ahead to Wednesday's feature event, in which her charge finished a gallant second to Call Equiname in 1999, Miss Knight commented: "He's done nothing wrong this year and I think he's stronger than he was 12 months ago. If he gets out there in front, he'll take some catching."
