Beef roasts rivals

Beef Or Salmon made a spectacular debut at the highest level when running away with the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown today

Launched into the big league over fences in recent weeks by Michael Hourigan, the six-year-old left his older rivals trailing after the final fence to become the 10-1 second favourite for the Tote Gold Cup at Cheltenham with Ladbrokes and Cork bookmakers Cashmans.

Patiently ridden by Timmy Murphy who had won over two miles on the horse at Cork earlier in the month, the 5-1 shot looked a different proposition over the three miles this time as he bounded over the final fence and romped six lanes clear of 20-1 chance Colonel Braxton who had attempted to make all the running in the 150,000 euro contest.

“He was very good, never missing a fence for a novice, and really quickened up when I gave him a slap after the last,” said Murphy who had earlier in the day also scored on stable companion Hi Cloy (12-1) in the Riverside Park Maiden Hurdle and who went to complete a treble on Be My Belle (13-2) in the Grade Two William Neville & Sons Novice Chase over three-miles.

Limerick-based trainer Hourigan had his faith in the horse fully vindicated though he admitted beforehand he wondered whether he was over-racing the horse after just two previous starts over fences.

“My horse jumped brilliantly and Timmy settled him beautifully off the pace. The plan was to stalk them until the straight and Beef Or Salmon was spring-heeled over the last,” he enhused.

“This horse has been special since I broke him and he won his first point of point in Clonmel by two fences so I knew his future was going to be as a chaser.

“Dorans Pride was a special horse for us, winning 30-odd races but this horse jumps better and that helps him produce his finishing speed as you saw here. I just hope he stays healthy and sound as we head to the big races in the spring,” Hourigan continued.

A return to the Dublin course for the Hennessy Gold Cup in early February is beckoning for Beef Or Salmon which will be well entered up in the coming months including the Cheltenham Festival.

Beef Or Salmon could well renew rivalry in the Hennessy promotion with both the runner up Colonel Braxton and Harbour Pilot, which was just a short head back in third with last year’s winner Foxchapel King fought beaten a total of just over 12 lengths to emphasise the new order among Ireland’s staying chasers apart from Florida Pearl and Commanche Court.

There appeared to be excuses for First Gold, who was found to have a respiratory tract infection, and Rince Ri who was blowing hard afterwards. Both faded badly in the closing stages.

The Ericsson chase was preceded by another star performance, this time from the odds-on favourite Limestone Lad as he avenged last years defeat in the woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle.

Beaten a length by Bannow Bay on drier ground a year ago, Limestone Lad exacted sweet revenge when making all the running in the hands of champion jockey Paul Carberry to record the 35th win of his career.

At the age of 10 Limestone Lad seemed to have improved rather than deteriorated with age, an observation made with some justification by Michael Bowe who trains and exercises the horse for his father James who also bred the gelding.

“He is an iron horse – his jumping is quicker than when I rode him last year and this performance rates among his best,” Carberry commented.

A crack at the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle over two miles is among the options for this remarkably durable horse who is in his element in the mud but is almost equally effective on better ground.

The Bonusprint Stayers’ Hurdle is the Cheltenham target for which Limestone Lad is 3-1 with Ladbrokes.