Best Mate will face 10 rivals as the triple-Cheltenham Gold Cup winner makes his eagerly-anticipated return to action at Exeter today.

The 10-year-old missed a crack at a fourth blue riband when he broke a blood vessel during his last serious piece of work before the Festival and has not raced since finishing second to Beef Or Salmon in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown in December.

However, all has gone well with his preparation and he makes his seasonal debut in the William Hill Haldon Gold Cup.

"We're not necessarily expecting him to win but it should be a nice outing for him. He's ready for a race," said trainer Henrietta Knight.

The horse faces a stiff task, having to give weight all round in a limited handicap. The trip of two miles, one-and-a-half furlongs is considered too sharp for him these days and the rain-softened ground may not be ideal either.

Even so, connections are hopeful of a bold show from Best Mate, who will be ridden for the first time by Paul Carberry.

"The distance is on the short side and there are good, quicker horses in there," Knight went on. "It's a prep race to get him primed for the rest of the season. He would prefer quicker ground but I don't think it's going to rain again before the race."

Rivals include Contraband and Ashley Brook, who were first and second in the Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival, the Paul Nicholls-trained pair Kauto Star and Kadarann, Sue Smith's Castleford Chase victor Mister McGoldrick and Monkerhostin, from Philip Hobbs's stable, winner of last season's bonusprint.com Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Nicholls, however, is not expecting the earth from his two runners. Kauto Star is on the comeback trail having been sidelined through injury since being short-headed by Mistral De La Cour after being remounted at this track nine months ago.