Henrietta Knight 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 the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday
"He is as well as ever this morning," said Knight. "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 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.
"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.
"When `Blue' won at Clonmel it was yielding to soft and I thought it rode just on the easy side of good which would be perfect."
Alvechurch trainer Ian Williams has given the go ahead for Batman Senora to take on Best Mate and Beef Or Salmon in the Ericsson Chase.
The French-owned chaser gave Williams the biggest win of his training career in the Grade One Prix la Haye Jousselin Chase at Auteuil on November 9th and the prospect of taking on the dual Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and Ireland's top staying chaser does not worry Williams.
On his website, www.ianwilliamsracing.com, he said: "We might be thought to be shooting at rainbows a little but we go to Ireland without any pressure and it is important we see how he copes with British style fences.
"The reason to go to Leopardstown is very much the same as Best Mate as regards the ground, and the track will certainly suit."
He added: "I could not be happier with him. He did a racecourse gallop at Warwick over the weekend and he has been schooled over 10 fences at home and he went very well.
"I am quite excited about going to Ireland for what looks a fascinating race. Batman is a galloping chaser and it will give us the opportunity to assess him in a quality field. We will be able to see what he is made of."
Paul Moloney will take the ride in Ireland.
Batman Senora's ultimate aim this season will be the French Gold Cup in June in which he has twice finished runner-up.