Beef looks a tasty alternative
The score is three-nil in favour of Best Mate and if Henrietta Knight’s charge strips at his very best then he will probably be an impossible nut to crack.
But there have been little signs in the nine-year-old’s last two outings which have indicated he could be vulnerable this afternoon. As well as that the ground is going to be very testing and that can prove a real leveller.
In any case, Best Mate was less than impressive in landing his third Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, just managing to beat Sir Rembrandt and Harbour Pilot, with Beef Or Salmon, following an interrupted preparation, only three and a half lengths away in fourth.
Best Mate reappeared at Exeter, where he just got the better of Seebald, in a contest in which the conditions were stacked in his favour. Seebald made no show at all in Monday’s King George at Kempton, trailing in a remote sixth.
The King George was won in tremendous style by Kicking Kick and it is now easy to understand why Beef Or Salmon could not get to grips with that flying machine in the John Durkan at Punchestown.
Michael Hourigan’s gelding went there short of peak fitness, finishing third, and, in retrospect, had little chance against a horse well underestimated by most of us.
I have believed Beef Or Salmon capable of winning a Gold Cup since he produced a stunning display at the Punchestown Festival in April.
There can be no more excuses. The time has come to stand and deliver and he just might!
Noel Meade had a couple of setbacks yesterday, but can get back on track with Mark The Man in the Ascon-Rohcon Novice Chase.
He handled a demanding surface at Naas in October, producing a smashing display of jumping to easily beat Prince Of Tara.
Meade’s County Final should prove hard to beat in the Bumper. He went under by three parts of a length, it was 20 lengths back to the third, to Travino at Naas last month. The form was put in perspective when Travino scored by a street at Leopardstown yesterday.
Blazing Liss, who enjoyed a confidence-booster with an easy defeat of subsequent Limerick winner, Arteea, at Cork gets the nap in the O2 Hurdle.
Our Ben, a creditable third behind Petertheknot and Sweet Kiln at Navan, drops down in class in the Grade Three ladbrokes.com Dorans Pride Novice Hurdle at Limerick and is the choice.
