BEEF OR SALMON pleased trainer Michael Hourigan when popping over four hurdles at home yesterday morning and is impossible to oppose in tomorrow’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

Trainer Michael O’Brien is eyeing a big-race double with Essex after the five-year-old justified favouritism in the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown yesterday.

With doubts surrounding Back In Front’s participation in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle, Irish trainer Edward O’Grady is looking to Pizarro to lead his Cheltenham Festival team.

THE ultra-consistent Newmill (above) can get back on the winning trail in the Grade Two betfair.com Johnstown Hurdle at Naas tomorrow.

EIGHT horses remain in Sunday’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown, headed by last year’s winner, Beef Or Salmon.

THE Bowe family, already looking forward to Limestone Lad in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, will travel with all guns blazing following the superb display of Solerina in yesterday’s Deloitte and Touche Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.

TIMMY MURPHY, riding at the very top of his form, will again team up with market leader Beef Or Salmon in Sunday’s 92,900 to the winner Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown.