Salmon set for Hurdles outing

Michael Hourigan is to give Beef Or Salmon a confidence-boosting spin over hurdles following his second successive disappointing run in Britain.

The classy Irish chaser was reported by his trainer to be none the worse after unseating Paul Carberry at the fifth fence in the Betfair Bowl at Aintree yesterday.

He had previously finished down the field behind compatriot War Of Attrition in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, his fourth failed attempt at chasing’s blue riband.

“He’s fine and will probably run at Fairyhouse on Easter Sunday or Monday over hurdles just to give him a confidence booster,” Hourigan told Racing UK.

“I can’t put my finger on what’s gone wrong, maybe he just doesn’t like travelling. He’s an exceptionally good horse at home but just doesn’t get it together here.

“I have to agree with most of the people who say that maybe he doesn’t like England, he certainly doesn’t like it at the moment.”

Hourigan is aiming Beef Or Salmon at the Guinness Gold Cup at the Punchestown Festival, where he could clash with stablemate Hi Cloy.