Michael Hourigan is looking forward to running Beef Or Salmon in the £200,000 Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday after declaring himself pleased with the 10-YO following a piece of work on Tuesday.
Hourigan revealed today: 'Beef Or Salmon worked yesterday and he's fine - I'm very happy with him. He's a year older but he's in grand form and we're looking forward to Saturday, all being well.
'He's better when the ground is soft so we just would like a bit of rain. The softer the better for him.'
Beef Or Salmon has landed nine Grade One victories in a glittering career, and was a length and a quarter runner-up to the Robert Alner-trained Kingscliff in the inaugural Betfair Chase in 2005, with that year's totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup victor Kicking King in third.
The Joe Craig-owned star's latest triumph came in the Grade One James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal on November 4, when he defeated the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition by a neck.
Beef Or Salmon's Down Royal success came in the hands of Andrew McNamara who was partnering the gelding for the first time over fences, having ridden him twice previously over hurdles.
Hourigan, who also has Church Island entered in the race, commented: 'Andrew (McNamara) gave him a good ride at Down Royal and hopefully we can have the same result at Haydock.'
