Beef Or Salmon goes back to school
Trainer, Michael Hourigan said yesterday: “He is going to have a racecourse school in the morning and Timmy (Murphy) is coming from England to ride him.’’
The seven-year-old started his campaign in the Clonmel Oil ‘Chase on November 20, finishing third behind Edredon Bleu and Arctic Copper.
Cheltenham aside - he fell at the third in the Gold Cup- Beef Or Salmon’s jumping last season was a joy, but that fluency was missing at Clonmel. Neverthless, but for blundering badly at the final fence, he would almost certainly have won.
“He was never away from home before Clonmel and was just a little bit rusty’’, explained Hourigan. “He’s been in good form since and I would expect a much better performance on Sunday.’’
There were no additions to the contest at yesterday’s supplementary stage and 11 remain.
They are: Adamant Approach, Arctic Copper, Beef Or Salmon, Barrow Drive, Keen Leader, Killultagh Storm, Knife Edge, Le Coudray, Native Upmanship, Rince Ri, Tuitchev.
Paddy Power make Beef Or Salmon their 6-5 favourite. That is followed by 10-30 Native Upmanship, 4-1 Tuitchev, 6-1 Keen Leader, 10-1 Rince Ri, 12-1 Le Coudray, 20-1 Arctic Copper, 25-1 Adamant Ap proach, Barrow Drive, Knife Edge 33-1 Killultagh Storm.
Cashmans bet: 6-4 Beef Or Salmon, 2-1 Native Upmanship, 11-2 Keen Leader, 7-1 Tuitchev, 14-1 Le Coudray, 20-1 Adamant Approach, Rince Ri, 25-1 Arctic Copper, Knife Edge, 33-1 Barrow Drive, 50-1Killultagh Storm.
Ted Walsh took out Commanche Court, but confirmed Rince Ri will take his chance.
Rince Ri finished last season with a highly creditable six lengths second to First Gold in the Heineken Gold Cup at Punchestown.
“He always runs well in the Durkan, but has never won it’’, said Walsh.
“The immediate plan is for him to win a few races this season.
“Punchestown will tell me a lot. Maybe, he will go for the King George at Kempton at Christmas.
“Certainly, it will be a big consideration if both Best Mate and Beef Or Salmon end up in the Ericsson at Leopardstown.’’
In the longer term, Rince Ri has a tilt at the Grand National at Aintree on his agenda.
“That would be the obvious plan, but the problem is he is so highly rated’’, said Walsh.
“Ruby (Walsh), Mick Fitzgerald and Paul Carberry (all have ridden Rince Ri) have said the same thing, that he would be a great ride round Aintree!’’
It remains to be seen whether Jonjo O’Neill’s well-regarded Keen Leader will make the journey from Jackdaws Castle.
A spokesperson for the yard said yesterday: “Keen Leader is also in at Sandown on Friday and Jonjo has no idea where he will be going.’’
Davenport Milenium, who made a satisfactory re-appearance when fourth to Solerina in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday, has come out of the race in good order.
That was his first outing since straining a tendon when a disappointing third to Intersky Falcon at Kempton last Christmas.
“The Bula Hurdle (Cheltenham, Saturday week) is a possibility’’, reported Mullins. “I just hope he is grand over the next few days.’’
If Davenport Milenium contests the Bula then he will likely meet current Champion Hurdler, Rooster Booster.
Paul Carberry, who fell on Lotomore Lad in a handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday, has a fractured thumb and is expected to be out of action for three to four weeks.
