Cheltenham Day Three: Best Mate's graduation to legendary status was so smooth and clear-cut it almost seems a wonder now that there was any doubt about it beforehand, writes Brian O'Connor at Cheltenham.

A 10-length winning distance, a second Gold Cup in a row and a place alongside just five others who managed to win chasing's blue riband more than once.

There may be lies, damned lies and statistics but these kind of figures are as definite as this most uncertain of sports can allow.

The uncertainty was emphasised by Beef Or Salmon's third-fence exit but it's hard to imagine even his presence in the final stages would have stopped Best Mate becoming the first since L'Escargot (1970-71) to win back-to-back Gold Cups.

This really is a horse to rank with most of those that nostalgia and time have turned into freakish talents. Best Mate's glory is here and now and we're all the luckier for it.

His trainer Henrietta Knight once dared to mention the "Arkle" word in relation to this horse and has regretted it ever since. But yesterday, amidst a scrum of press, the name came up again and the only red in her cheeks was from excitement.

"How many times did he win it? Three?" asked the 56-year-old trainer impishly.

However, owner Jim Lewis warned: "The horse might think he's Arkle but he's not there yet!" The bookies were having none of it and William Hill went as short as 6 to 4 on the English star completing the treble. On yesterday's evidence it was hard to argue.

The winner's stable companion Chives disputed with Behrajan for much of the race but on the run to the third last the writing was on the wall.

Jim Culloty might have given Best Mate a masterful route to victory last year but this was more of a procession.

Valley Henry tried to stay with him but couldn't and by the time Truckers Tavern and Harbour Pilot filled the placings, Culloty was waving to the crowd.

"I was turning around to see where Beef Or Salmon was but I couldn't see him. The horse was always travelling. I thought at the ditch 'Jesus how much more have I left in the tank!'

"People forget he's about 16.3hh and still only a shell. He may not come into his prime until next year," the Killarney-born jockey grinned.

Knight greeted her jockey effusively and acknowledged: "It was unfortunate that Beef or Salmon fell but he would have to have been very good to win.

"You won't see Best Mate again until next autumn, then Kempton for the King George and back here. I know it is a bit unimaginative but that is what we want every year. If he gets there next year like he was this year then nothing will stop him."

After being presented with the Gold Cup, Lewis was keen to spread the praise.

"The team is exactly what a team should be. I've got a brilliant trainer whose husband (Terry Biddlecombe) is a three-time champion jockey who knows every blade of grass on every racecourse.

"Jim Culloty said to me the horse was all class and I told him he was all class," Lewis said.

The 33 to 1 Truckers Tavern and the 40 to 1 Harbour Pilot denied Valley Henry a place. Ferdy Murphy was looking forward to 12 months' time with Truckers Tavern.

"I hope we'll be back to try and beat Best Mate next time round. He (Truckers Tavern) is a seriously good horse, the best I have ever had and I have had a few really good horses over the years," Murphy said.

Harbour Pilot's trainer Noel Meade said: "It wasn't soft enough for him but he really winged the last three and ran really well."

He was best of the Irish, well clear of Commanche Court in sixth, but there was one horse that was clear of everything.

Biddlecombe was riding when Arkle was in his prime and witnessed the Irish legend close up.

"Arkle was brilliant and this fellow is as good," he declared. "Or at least we'll find out next year!"