Best Mate wowed his adoring public with a heroic display to win the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup for the third consecutive year to emulate the legendary Arkle.

Forced to fight tooth and nail for his place in the history books, he gave his all under Jim Culloty to hold the determined challenges of Sir Rembrandt and Harbour Pilot.

After the defeats of the other popular reigning champions Rooster Booster, Moscow Flyer and Baracouda, Best Mate's success restored punters' faith.

It prompted a stampede as racegoers flocked to the winner's enclosure to welcome home their champion.

It was nothing less than the nine-year-old - already a best-priced 9-4 with Coral to secure a fourth win next year - deserved.

Thierry Doumen on First Gold set out to sort the men from the boys in the early stages as he cut out a gallop which seemed to go faster as the race went on.

The likes of Truckers Tavern, Irish Hussar and novice Therealbandit were unable to get into contention, the last-named's chance being hindered by some messy jumping.

As First Gold started to tire, the pack closed in around the home turn with Best Mate, who had not touched a twig, going strongly on the inside rail.

But just when Culloty needed running room there was none, Paul Carberry on Harbour Pilot hemming Best Mate in behind First Gold around the bend and costing the winner important momentum as he momentarily lost his footing.

Culloty, however, remained cool.

With a flick of the reins, he switched Best Mate around the outside of Harbour Pilot and finding exactly the stride he needed, went into the lead in mid-air over the second-last fence.

Still the race was not over as Harbour Pilot and Carberry refused to go down without a fight and tried to regain the advantage.

Realising that now was not the time for heroics, Culloty chose to change tactics, kept it short and simple over the last, and asked his mount for everything on the run-in.

Now it was the turn of Sir Rembrandt to make his challenge as he gained ground all the way to the line under Andrew Thornton.

But this was not a dream that was about to be shattered and the winning post came half a length in time for the 8-11 favourite.

The celebrations, led by Best Mate's charming owner Jim Lewis, started straightaway.

Sir Rembrandt (33-1), running the race of his life, finished a further length and a quarter ahead of 20-1 chance Harbour Pilot, who was third for the second year running.

Beef Or Salmon ran a fine race to finish on the heels of the front three without ever getting in a blow, with First Gold far from disgraced in fifth.

For Best Mate's supporters, nothing short of victory would possibly have been good enough.

His trainer Henrietta Knight was the first to admit that the weight of expectation had been felt squarely on her shoulders.

''It is an immense relief,'' she said. ''Just listen to the crowd - this is a horse who has been taken over by the country and I couldn't bear the thought of letting everybody down.

''I just feel so drained by it all. The pressure was unbelievable, and now it's over.

''He is such a tough horse, so competitive, and Jim gave him such a tremendous ride. He was a really cool customer out there.''

Rain throughout the day had only served to raise Knight's fears, she admitted.

''I went out to walk the course after the Triumph because it had looked softer than I had been expecting,'' she said.

''Terry (Biddlecombe) and I agreed that there was a strip on the inside - about two horse-widths - that was quicker because it was fresh ground, and we knew that was where we had to go.

''But it hardly helped to calm my nerves. I have got two files at home filled with 'good luck' cards for today's race and another lot came this morning - we have probably had about 7-800 of them.

''I got at least 500 letters after he won last year and I tried to reply to them all, but it is becoming a real task now. You could fill a marquee with all of the shamrocks, four-leaf clovers and lucky heather I get. It's the children's pictures that I like the most.'