Boost for Beef Or Salmon team
Arteea easily landed a novice hurdle at Naas under big-race jockey Paul Carberry, which lifted a huge weight from Hourigan’s shoulders. “This horse has been working with Beef Or Salmon, which gives me a bit of a relief as I haven’t trained a winner since January,” said the County Limerick-based handler.
Twice a Grade One winner this term - when beating Best Mate and Kicking King - Beef Or Salmon has not been seen since finishing runner-up to Rule Supreme in the Irish Hennessy last month.
“He had a bit of mucus in his throat and had to have about a week off after the Hennessy, but it has happened to everybody,” Hourigan went on.
“It is unbelievable what has happened to a lot of the trainers in Ireland, just look at Noel Meade, and even Jonjo in England - some stables are flying, but we are not.”
Beef Or Salmon was yesterday supported into 5-1 from 13-2 with William Hill having completed his preparations when galloping with Arteea at Limerick racecourse on Friday.
“Friday morning was the longest minute of my life when the vet scoped him at 7.30am - what was he going to say when the scope came out?” said Hourigan.
“Everything in the race is a danger and you just want to get there safe, sound and healthy.”
Irish National Hunt handicapper Noel O’Brien, meanwhile, has given connections of Beef Or Salmon plenty of incentive to run in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on March 28.
The €250,000 Powers Gold Label-sponsored Easter Monday highlight has attracted 68 entries, including 12 from Britain and three from France. O’Brien said: “I’ve decided to allow Beef Or Salmon to run off 168 on 12 stone, which is six pounds lower than his current Irish rating.”
O’Brien has made similar adjustments to several of the other highly rated contenders, notably Keen Leader and Le Coudray by 3lb. Alexander Banquet and Rince Ri have also been dropped 2lb.
He added: “The race has attracted real quality and if Beef Or Salmon was to take part there would be 12 of the original entry in the handicap proper.
“It would still be a high-class race and more competitive if he came out and would allow 18 more runners into the handicap.”
Dick Sheil, manager of Fairyhouse, said: “We have actively promoted our race in Britain and it’s likely Keen Leader could travel as well as Innox, who would be the first French-trained runner in an Irish handicap.”
