Salmon ready for Hennessy test

Michael Hourigan declared Beef Or Salmon to be in top form ahead of a tilt at next month’s Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

The 10-year-old won the three-mile contest in 2003 and will be given another chance to strengthen his totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup claims by lining up at the Irish venue on February 12.

“He’s in good form and, touch-wood, we’ve had no problems as all his muscular problems are now behind him,” said Hourigan.

Beef Or Salmon is the 5-1 favourite with William Hill and Ladbrokes for the Gold Cup and Hourigan insists his charge is fitter than he has ever been ahead of his eagerly-awaited return to Prestbury Park in March.

“You are hoping every year could be your year but I’ve not had much luck with him in the past,” the County Limerick handler told At The Races.

“With the fall he got the first year in the Gold Cup (in 2003), he certainly damaged a lot of muscles and he wasn’t jumping the following year.

“Last year (when he was pulled up in the Gold Cup) he had a touch of a virus but this year I’m getting a clear run on the way to Cheltenham with him.”