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Best Mate took top honours at the inaugural British Horseracing Board Jump Racing Awards on Monday.

Henrietta Knight's pride and joy was named horse of the year following a season which saw him capture the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup for an historic third successive year.

The brilliant nine-year-old also claimed top spot in the champion three-mile chaser category.

The accolade, which was presented by BHB chairman Peter Savill at a ceremony in central London, was one of 12 to mark human and equine achievement over the 2003/4 season.

The horse of the year award was based on a combination of ratings and contribution to raising the profile of British racing, as judged by a BHB panel composed of Savill, chief executive Greg Nichols, marketing director Chris John and racing director Ruth Quinn.

Britain's champion owner, trainer, jockey and conditional rider were also recognised, those awards falling to David Johnson, Martin Pipe, Tony McCoy and Jamie Moore respectively.

"The launch of BHB's Flat awards earlier this year was universally welcomed and provided much deserved official recognition of British racing's champions in 2003," Savill said. "I am in no doubt that the jump awards will have exactly the same impact."