Beef or Salmon triumphs in Leopardstown

Beef Or Salmon took Best Mate’s scalp with an impressive victory in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown today.

Paul Carberry sent the 9-4 chance to the front approaching the second-last fence and he had too much speed for Best Mate, who plugged on for second place.

Rule Supreme was staying on when he came down at the last leaving the triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner to chase home Ireland’s top staying chaser.

Best Mate, who was sent off the 9-10 favourite, was beaten seven lengths at the line and was suffering only his seventh defeat in 21 starts over jumps.

Henrietta Knight’s star jumped well apart from slipping at the first fence but he was stalked all the way by Beef Or Salmon, who is now a general 6-1 chance for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Best Mate is a top-priced 7-2 with Coral to complete a four-timer in chasing’s blue riband event.