Striking gold is punters’ puzzle

THE Cheltenham Gold Cup, like most of the rest of the Festival races, is not a happy hunting ground for favourites, with only five having won it in the last 20 years — two of them coming from the unfortunate Best Mate.

Irish punters will not, therefore, have slept too easily last night, as our top challenger for today's feature, Beef Or Salmon, was joint market leader at 4/1 along with Strong Flow and Celestial Gold.

Michael Hourigan's nine-year-old has had his ups and downs this season, beating Best Mate in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown before being turned over by Rule Supreme at the same venue in the Hennessy.