Best Mate aimed at King showdown

King hailed as 'one of the best'

Triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate is likely to take on current champion Kicking King at Haydock in November as he chases a £1m bonus.

The cash is being offered to the team behind any horse that can win the first running of the Betfair Chase before claiming the King George and Gold Cup.

Best Mate missed out on a tilt at a fourth straight Gold Cup when breaking a blood vessel on the gallops.

In his absence, Kicking King strolled to a comfortable five-length victory.

But the Best Mate camp are keen to prove their former champion is not a spent force.

Owner Jim Lewis said: "We'll start him off hopefully at Exeter in the Haldon Gold Cup, like last year.

"We just felt that might be a nice start for him, and then we'll get him ready for the Haydock race, the Betfair Chase, when very possibly he'll meet Kicking King, which would be a great clash."

It is thought the bonus is likely to entice Tom Taaffe to run Kicking King at Haydock, before attempting to defend his King George and Gold Cup crowns.