Beef in good order for Betfair challenge

Jockey Andrew McNamara believes Beef Or Salmon is in better shape this year for his assault on the Betfair Chase at Haydock than he was when he finished runner-up 12 months ago.

Michael Hourigan's 10-year-old is peerless in his native Ireland, with nine victories at the highest level. The enigmatic gelding finished second in the Betfair Chase last year, when he got to within a length and a quarter of Kingscliff.

However, Beef Or Salmon's overall record in Britain, most notably in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, is average at best. But McNamara, full of optimism after lowering the colours of Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition at Down Royal, is confident Hourigan's charge can banish his British blues with a big run at the Merseyside venue.

'It was a great thrill to win at Down Royal, especially with all the hype about War Of Attrition, to get one over on him made it even sweeter,' said McNamara.

'He went over to Cheltenham last year and disappointed again.
So you never know about this year, if things go well again he may go once more.

'But there are plenty of big races along the way and hopefully we can pick one up on Saturday. "Our fellow seems in great form, he probably goes there fitter than he was last year as he has already had two runs this season,' he told At The Races.