SIR Rembrandt is on course for a re-match with Best Mate at Exeter next month.

The Robert Alner-trained chaser, who finished second to Henrietta Knight's stable star in last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup, will go head to head with his rival in Charlie Hill Chase on November 18.

Alner, who operates at Droop neat Hazelbury Bryan, told Echosport: "Sir Rembrandt is looking in great order and we are very happy with him going into the new season. He is over all his injury problems from last year and he'll probably kick off with a race at Wetherby at the end of October.

"The Charlie Hill Chase at Exeter will be his next engagement and that looks like a suitable race for him. He'll be coming up again Best Mate again which will be interesting and I think he's again capable of pushing him all the way.

"After that we'll consider his options. He'll probably go to Chepstow in December and then we'll start thinking about next year's Gold Cup. That is obviously the ultimate aim but we'll just have to see how things go between now and then."

Meanwhile Alner reports his other big Cheltenham hope Kingscliff, a 'little backward' compared to his stable mate Sir Rembrandt.

The trainer added: "Kingscliff isn't quite as forward as Sir Rembrandt but he's been away doing some specialist pre-training following his injuries last season and he's only just come back to Droop.

"He should run around Christmas time although obviously he's got a lot of work to do at home before then."

He continued: "The ultimate aim for Kingsliff is the same as Sir Rembrandt's - the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

"We've not yet made any plans for him between now and then but hopefully he'll be good by the time the Festival comes round and he can take his place in the race following the disappointment of missing last year's through injury."