Beef ready for Clonmel repeat

Trainer Michael Hourigan has issued an upbeat report ahead of Beef Or Salmon’s seasonal reappearance in the Clonmel Oil Chase tomorrow.

The seven-year-old took this race last year on his chasing debut but he will face a much tougher task this time with Henrietta Knight’s Edredon Bleu his main challenger.

Beef Or Salmon proved to be a revelation last season, winning the Ericsson Chase and the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup in what was his novice season.

Hourigan himself will be going for a sixth win in seven years tomorrow and he said: “Beef Or Salmon is in good form, it’s going to be a proper race.

“He has to start somewhere this season and tomorrow is the day, I wasn’t afraid to run him last year and I’m not afraid to run him this year.”

However, the 11-year-old Edredon Bleu has been in flying form so far this season winning on his debut at Wincanton and he took the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter last time.

This two mile, four furlong race will be Edredon Bleu’s third start in a month but Miss Knight is hoping for a bold show.

She said: “I hope he will run well and will adapt to the track. We will be walking it in the morning.

“He’s run three races quickly together this autumn but he has a big heart. He had a good journey over and travelled well, obviously the big danger is Beef Or Salmon.”

The going at the track is currently yielding and there is some rain forecast overnight, but it is expected to be dry and bright tomorrow.

A field of 11 runners have been declared for the race with Jessica Harrington’s Midlands Grand National winner Intelligent the main rival to the leading pair.

Mouse Morris sends Alcapone while Knife Edge and Arctic Copper also take their chances.

Boss Murphy, Garvivonnian, Charging, Whitworth Ben and local hope The Premier Cat complete the field.

Jerry Desmond, manager at Clonmel, said: “We are delighted with the line-up for the race – it will be an exciting and highly competitive race. The first-time sponsors Clonmel Oil are delighted with the response from trainers to their inaugural sponsorship of this prestigious Grade Two event.”