New race tempts Cheltenham stars

Kicking King replaced Best Mate as Cheltenham Gold Cup champion

Kicking King could take on Best Mate during a new festival to be staged at Haydock Park and Aintree in November.

The North West Masters from 19-20 November will feature Saturday racing at Haydock and a meeting at Aintree the following day.

The £150,000 Betfair Chase at Haydock will be only the third Grade One event of three miles or further in Britain.

It could bring together three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate and this year's champion Kicking King.

Best Mate's trainer Henrietta Knight and Tom Taaffe, handler of Kicking King, have both indicated they could target the race.

This is a race that we will definitely look at for Kicking King Kicking King's trainer Tom Taaffe

"We will certainly look at Haydock's new race when choosing an early-season target for Best Mate," said Knight.

"Haydock is a magnificent jumping track and, provided the ground is right, Best Mate could well be there."

Taaffe added: "This is a race that we will definitely look at for Kicking King.

"Of course, we'll be keeping our options open, but £150,000 over three miles looks most interesting."

A £250,000 bonus will also be offered if the horse that wins the Haydock race can follow up in the King George VI Chase at Christmas and complete the hat-trick in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in the spring.

The two feature races at Aintree on the second day of the North West Masters will be run over the Grand National fences.