Beef Or Salmon is second only to Best Mate in Gold Cup ante-post lists after an impressive victory in the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown. Michael Hourigan has made no secret of his high regard for the six-year-old gelding, generally 10/1 second favourite in Cheltenham Gold Cup lists, who is now three from three over fences on the track.
Timmy Murphy, who completed a 147/1 treble on the day, held him up in rear and after five of the seven runners were virtually in the air together at the last, quickened clear on the run-in. Beef Or Salmon had six lengths to spare over long-time leader Colonel Braxton at the line, with Harbour Pilot just a short-head away in third. Rince Ri (blowing hard post-race) and First Gold (respiratory tract infection) both dropped away tamely from two out.
Be My Belle bounced back from a disappointing effort at Limerick on St Stephens Day when making all under Murphy in the William Neville & Sons Novice Chase. Murphy also started off the day on a winning note in the maiden hurdle aboard the Hourigan-trained Hi Cloy, who led after the last to beat Rosenca, slightly hampered on the run-in, by a length and a half.
Limestone Lad recorded his 35th career win with a facile all-the-way success in the woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle. Paul Carberry could afford to ease the popular gelding right down after the last to beat Boss Doyle (now to be retired) by nine lengths, with Bannow Bay a further two and a half lengths away in third.
Hardy Eustace is generally an 8/1 chance for the Royal & SunAlliance Novice Hurdle after justifying odds-on support in the 2003 Special Olympics World Games Novice Hurdle. Kieran Kelly sent the five-year-old to the front before the last, and he kept on well to beat the patiently ridden Nil Desperandum.
Filed by Laura Reynolds
