Hourigan out to uncork Beef sparkle

Beef Or Salmon will be back in action at Cork on Sunday following a convincing victory at Punchestown last weekend.

The seven-year-old faces just four others in the O’Connell Warehousing Hilly Way Chase over two miles, as trainer Michael Hourigan tries to get as much experience as possible into the seven-year-old ahead of the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Beef Or Salmon’s jumping has often come into question but he put up a polished display last weekend to defeat Tiutchev by three and a half lengths.

Previous to that, though, he threw away his chance of victory on his reappearance at Clonmel last month when crashing through the last fence to gift the race to Edredon Bleu.

And he was also a third-fence faller in last term’s Gold Cup as a novice.

Trainer Willie Mullins saddles Killultagh Storm in Sunday’s Grade Two chase and feels his charge will have conditions to suit.

“Our fellow will love the track and the ground, his best form is around this trip and we’ll take our chance,” Mullins said today.

“It might be the case that Beef Or Salmon had a hard enough race last week, but it will be a very tight contest.

“Beef Or Salmon is weighted to win, but I don’t think there is a pound or two between the others on the handicap, so it is going to be very good race.”

Knife Edge was beaten 19 lengths by Hourigan’s star last weekend and reopposes on Sunday, with Rathgar Beau also in attendance.

The latter has been beaten by some useful sorts this year including Le Roi Miguel and Moscow Flyer, and with the ground riding good, he may not get his toe in as much as he likes.

Recent winner Native Scout will complete the line-up.