ALL eyes will be on the reappearance of triple Gold Cup winner Best Mate at Exeter this afternoon, but whether he can hold off the stern challenge of Sir Rembrandt (2.25) is open to debate.

Best Mate only had a half-length to spare over Sir Rembrandt when in a thrilling finale to the three-and-a-quarter-mile chasing championship at this year's Cheltenham Festival back in March.

In seeking revenge for that high-profile reverse, trainer Robert Alner has shrewdly given his charge a prep-race in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby, where Sir Rembrandt ran admirably by taking second spot behind Grey Abbey.

Crucially Best Mate hasn't had the benefit of such an outing, and it is also extremely interesting to note that Henrietta Knight's stable-star was beaten first time out last season.

The final piece of the jigsaw, which for my money could seal Best Mate's demise in the £65,000 William Hill Chase, revolves around the fact that he has to concede 4lb to the selection. In the Gold Cup the top-class duo locked horns at level weights.

Sedgefield-born Andrew Thornton again rides Sir Rembrandt, and he's very hopeful of a barnstorming performance from the Dorset-based eight-year-old.

"It's a plus that he gets 4lb from Best Mate, but on the down side the race is three furlongs less than at Cheltenham.

"All of his best form is over three miles and further, but his run at Wetherby will have helped him," revealed Andrew.

National Hunt action returns to Windsor by popular demand after a break of three years, during which only flat racing took place at the south London track.

Nicky Richards sends Monet's Garden (3.10) all the way down from the Lake District to participate in the most valuable contest on the card, the £40,000 Coloroll Hurdle over 2 miles.

With the Richards team currently boasting a better than 30 per cent strike-rate, Monet's Garden, who was beaten just once in four starts last term, must be regarded as a leading contender.

If all goes well a switch to fences is planned as the season progresses.

For the earlier Vymura Handicap Chase, I'm very sweet on the prospects of Curtins Hill (1.30), who is fancied to defy top-weight in the three-mile test of stamina.

Tom George's gelding made a pleasing comeback when third at Lingfield, a spin that seems certain to have cleared the cobwebs from his lungs and ensure the selection is in tip-top shape for the challenge ahead.

For the nap, try a small investment on Wolverhampton-bound Rouge Et Noir.

Despite not getting the run of the race, he was staying on stoutly when a close-up fifth over track and trip on Monday.

They went no gallop whatsoever on that occasion, which didn't suit Keith Reveley's raider because jockey Tom Eaves had him too far back when the race abruptly turned into a farcical two-furlong sprint come the home straight.

I simply cannot imagine the self-same scenario occurring at the Midlands course twice within the space of three days.

So as long as the 12-strong field go hell-for-leather from the moment the stalls fly open, Rouge Et Noir (4.25) should be in A1 position to launch a successful late strike.

* Liberman, a 9-4 scorer at Market Rasen yesterday, landed a second successive winning nap for Janus (Colin Woods).

Janus has moved up to second spot in the Racing Post naps competition, holding a £9.25 profit to a £1 level stake for the current National Hunt campaign.

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