Kickham looks just Champion

BEEF OR SALMON, if Michael Hourigan decides to let him take his chance, can leave the nightmare of Cheltenham behind by landing a potentially cracking Heineken Gold Cup at Punchestown this afternoon.

The imposing seven-year-old travelled to the foot of the Cotswsolds with high hopes of beating mighty Best Mate in the Tote Gold Cup.

But those hopes were dashed at the third fence when he made no attempt to get to the other side of the obstacle. That was completely out of character because, prior to Cheltenham, Beef Or Salmon had been well nigh foot-perfect in his three successes over fences in this country.