Salmon installed 7/4 favourite for Nicholson

THIRTEEN horses remain in Saturday’s eagerly awaited James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal, following yesterday’s supplementary and forfeit stage.

It was €1,000 to stay in the €84,000 to the winner Grade One contest, but there were no supplementary entries, which would have cost €14,000.

It has the makings of a cracking race with Beef Or Salmon, Harbour Pilot, who has twice finished third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and the up-and-coming and exciting Kicking King looking virtually certain to face the starter.