Beef Or Salmon right back in Gold Cup picture

BEEF OR SALMON, who has had a major question mark against him since disappointing behind Best Mate in the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown, is right back in the Cheltenham Gold Cup picture.

He has been suffering on-going muscle problems, caused by a crashing fall at the third in last year’s Gold Cup but delighted trainer, Michael Hourigan, in a gallop after racing at Thurles yesterday.

Beef Or Salmon, ridden by Joe Casey, worked over about two miles on the flat with an un-named stable companion.

They went a gentle pace for much of the journey, but the pace quickened appreciably for the last six furlongs or so.

“I’m really pleased with him, he was bouncing and it is now all guns blazing for Cheltenham”, reported Hourigan.

“That was the first time he has worked on grass since the Ericsson. He will do the same again next week, probably at Limerick, and will have three more racecourse gallops in total.

“He hasn’t been schooled since Leopardstown and Timmy (Murphy) will come across and do that. The horse has been doing a lot of indoor schooling, we have to get his confidence back. His muscles are now perfect.”

Noel Meade reported that Mark The Man will miss Sunday’s Johnstown Hurdle at Naas.

Very highly regarded, he hasn’t been seen since performing poorly at Leopardstown at Christmas, at a time when the trainer’s charges were off-colour.

Said Meade: “He looks well, but is just not giving the right vibes. He won’t run until he pleases me.”

Colm Murphy’s Brave Inca will also miss the Johnstown. The six-year-old doesn’t have a problem, but trainer, Colm Murphy, has decided a racecourse work-out will be more beneficial to his Cheltenham hopeful.

Jimmy Mangan indicated that his Aintree Grand National hero, Monty’s Pass, will have two more spins over flights before attempting a repeat in April.

Emotional Moment remains on course for another crack at next month’s Coral Cup after pleasing connections with his effort at Gowran Park last weekend.

The Tom Taaffe-trained seven-year-old finished seventh in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle and will now bid to better last year’s fourth placing in the Cheltenham event.

“He came out of his race at Gowran last Saturday in fine form,” said Taaffe. “He stayed on very well from the fourth-last hurdle and is on course for the Coral Cup.”

Stablemate Kicking King, successful in the Baileys Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup last time out, is also doing well ahead of his tilt at the Arkle Trophy. The six-year-old has been well supported in recent weeks for the two-mile contest and shares favouritism with certain bookmakers alongside Thisthatandtother.

“The horse is in super form. He is fit and well and hopefully we can keep him that way for the next three weeks,” said Taaffe.

“He is a very straightforward horse and I couldn’t be happier with him.”