Lexus hat-trick for Beef Or Salmon
Bookmaker reaction was swift, with Paddy Power thumping Michael Hourigan's charge into 9-1, from 12's, for the main showpiece of the great Festival.
Cashmans were suitably impressed as well, clipping two points off Beef Or Salmon, 10-1 to 8-1 second favourite behind 6-4 chance, Kicking King. Boylesprorts shortened him to 8-1 from 12's.
“That's the best he has ever jumped”, said Hourigan and there was no arguing with that assessment.
Beef Or Salmon absolutely winged his fences, making the only semblance of an error five out.
“Paul (Carberry) blamed himself for that'', reported Hourigan.
The trainer has had some very trying days with the nine-year-old and has often faced an uphill struggle to keep him fit and well.
The horse's troubles have been well documented, but this was much more like the old Beef Or Salmon, as he produced a performance rich in style and panache.
Hedgehunter carried them along at a reasonable pace, closely pursued by Forget the Past. Carberry and Conor O'Dwyer, on War Of Attrition, were content to look on for much of the journey.
Forget The Past went by Hedgehunter going to the second last, but it was soon glaringly obvious there was only going to be one winner.
Carberry was able to sit motionless turning in and had to let out just an inch of rein for Beef Or Salmon to scamper ahead.
War Of Attrition was out after him, but hard as he tried never had a prayer and there was four lengths between them at the line.
“Liz Kent (physiotherapist) and my daughter Kay have said all season there is now nothing wrong with him,'' said Hourigan
“He was minding himself when jumping, but there was none of that today. He will go for the Hennessy (Leopardstown) now and we will see after that.”
Beef Or Salmon, even if he never wins a Gold Cup, has proved a tremendous servant to Hourigan.
This was his third time winning this race and he has seven Grade One successes to his credit in total.
Commented Carberry: “He was very, very good and jumped brilliantly. It rode a decent race and that mistake was my fault. He screwed the fifth last, but picked up quickly.”
Mouse Morris seemed pleaeed with War Of Attrition. “It was a good effort on the back of a sick run”, said Morris.
“I'd like to have won, but am happy enough, he ran like a dog a couple of weeks ago.” The Hennessy would look the logical next step for War Of Attrition as well, but Morris isn't so sure.
“I don't know if he will go for the Hennessy, I may give him a break”, he said.
It could be straight to Cheltenham for War Of Attrition, although it seems far from certain as to what may be his target.
The rapidly improving Ted Walsh trained Southern Vic destroyed some high class rivals with a power-packed display in the Ascon-Rohcon Novice Chase.
“He's not a beauty, but is a good old fashioned horse”, said a delighted Walsh. “He jumps and stays and is a fair novice.”
Ruby Walsh had his charge on the pace from the start and Southern Vic exploded clear off the home turn to beat Homer Wells by 15 lengths.
Continued Walsh: “I was a bit disappointed with him when he got beaten at Navan. Don't ask me where he's going next.
“He's going home tonight and so am I! I have Cheltenham in the back of my mind, but he wants soft ground. He should be a nice horse next season for all those good chases.”
Southern Vic is owned by Brenda Graham, widow of bookmaker Sean. Thirty-eight years earlier, to the day, she gave birth to twins, Sean junior and Brian.
Cashmans offered Southern Vic at a generous 25-1 for the SunAlliance Novices Chase at Cheltenham.
Noel Meade was shell-shocked after his Rosaker had taken the Grade Two woodies.com Christmas Hurdle.
“I didn't think he was within a roar of an ass of being fit”, admitted Meade. “I am flabbergasted, I can't believe it.”
Solerina, as usual, tried to make all, but was headed before four out by principal market rival, Emotional Moment.
To her credit she rallied back into contention off the home turn, but was gone at the final flight, where Emotional Moment appeared to have the contest in safe keeping.
But taking on the mare so early took its toll and he had no answer once Paul Carberry, initiating a double, swooped on Rosaker.
Commented Meade: “He was late coming in and we have done little work him.
“He is a horse who worries a lot, but maybe this is the way to run him. He will probably go for the Boyne Hurdle (Navan) now.”
Paddy Power gave Rosaker a 16-1 quote for the World Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The word from the Bowe camp is that they accept Solerina simply doesn't stay three miles and that she doesn't like racing at Leopardstown either.”
The John Carr trained Sublimity, a more than useful sort on the level, transferred his ability at that game to jumps with a smashing display in the O'Dwyer's Stillorgan Orchard Maiden Hurdle.
“He won a schooling hurdle a week ago and we have big plans for him”, revealed Carr. Well he might, because this was an excellent start.
Sublimity travelled supremely well for Philip Carberry, cruising ahead before the final flight to score with plenty in hand.
“We were very confident”, said Carr. “I don't want to take on the good novices straight away and he could head to Ayr next month. We think he is a Cheltenham horse.”
Paul Nolan's Escrea was the business in the ring for the Powers' Gold Label Handicap Hurdle and duly landed the wagers, after cantering ahead for Robbbie Moran heading to the final flight.
“She will now run in the Pierse Hurdle”, confirmed Nolan. “She currently has 10-1 and will only get five or six lbs for that!”
Willie Mullins' newcomer Black Harry, in the hands of Katie Walsh and carrying the colours of Sean O'Driscoll from Bandon, proved too strong for fellow first-timer, Hairy Molly, in the Bumper.
“I don't know if he is good enough to go across (Cheltehham Bumper), we will see how he goes over the next four weeks”, said Mullins.
Tazmana shrugged off top weight for Andrew Lynch, surviving a stewards' inquiry in the process, when beating Tomorrow's Dream and Mouftari in the O2 Novice Handicap Hurdle.
