Carberry keeps Salmon ride

Paul Carberry will keep the plum ride on Beef Or Salmon in Sunday’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

Carberry teamed up with Michael Hourigan’s nine-year-old to win the Lexus Chase at Christmas, replacing regular partner Timmy Murphy, who was required to ride for retained owner David Johnson in Britain.

Murphy had ridden Beef Or Salmon on his 13 previous jumps starts but connections were keen to arrange a regular jockey ahead of his tilt at next month’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Given that Murphy is likely to be claimed again by Johnson for the Festival showpiece, connections have opted to keep Carberry on board, both at the weekend and in the blue riband.

“The owner (Joe Craig) discussed the matter with Timmy Murphy today and in view of the fact that Murphy was unable to give a commitment to ride Beef Or Salmon at Cheltenham, they decided to go with Carberry,” Hourigan said yesterday.

“If for any reason Carberry is unavailable and Murphy is free to ride, then Murphy will have the mount.”