Ericsson Chase news: Henrietta Knight yesterday delivered an upbeat bulletin on Best Mate, who bypasses the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on St Stephen's Day in favour of a tilt at the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday.

"He is as well as ever this morning," she said. "It has been a difficult few days deciding where to go but ultimately it will always come down to what is best for the horse and I hope we have got it right.

"There wasn't any point leaving him in because he wasn't going to run at Kempton at all now, even if he didn't run at Leopardstown.

"We made our minds up and that is what we decided. I think everybody understands why we have made the decision that we have."

Travelling out for Leopardstown on Saturday for Sunday's contest, Best Mate will be spending his first night away from his stable since first arriving at Knight's West Lockinge yard, but homesickness is not an issue according to his trainer.

"When he came from Ireland he was a very good traveller and he is a relaxed sort of horse, much calmer than Edredon Bleu who can get a bit nervous," she explained.

"We are going to be staying with some friends - although I'm not saying where.

"Staying at the racecourse stables wasn't really an option because there is racing on the Saturday so he wouldn't appreciate all of the noise.

"The going sounds ideal at the moment, although it is that strange word 'yielding' which they use and I'm never quite sure exactly what it means."