Beef Or Salmon made quite an impression when making a winning start to his chasing career in the Grade 2 Morris Oil Chase before racing was abandoned at Clonmel yesterday.
Beef And Salmon's success came in the third race of the day but in the opinion of many senior riders and the acting stewards, further rain left the course in an unraceable condition and a halt to proceedings was called before the start of the sixth event.
Jockeys Ruby Walsh, Norman Williamson, Paul Carberry and David Casey walked parts of the course in the company of the stewards and in the interests of safety it was decided to abandon the beginners chase and the bumper.
A fast finishing third in the Leopardstown November Handicap last time, Beef Or Salmon easily accounted for his more experienced rivals. Under a typically confident ride from Paul Carberry, the 7 to 2 chance did not come off the bridle as he beat one-time Gold Cup favourite Sackville.
Alcapone, the well supported market leader, was held in third place when falling at the second last fence and his rider Barry Geraghty, who rode a treble at Naas on Saturday, was stood down for the remainder of the session.
Michael Hourigan won this race on four occasions with Dorans Pride and he said, 'Its a long road to go to catch up with Dorans Pride but this is a good start. He won a point-to-point and I had no hesitation in putting him in this race.
'He is not EBF qualified and that could limit our opportunities but we should have no difficulty in finding another conditions race for him.'
Charlie Swan partnered the gambled-on Over The First to win the Sporting Press Handicap Hurdle, the 4/1 favourite drawing clear before the last to win by five lengths from Sharp Act.
Azur Tonic battled well to win the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle under Ruby Walsh, the 10 to 1 chance staying on dourly to win from Heads Onthe Ground.
Sweet Deal took full advantage of her light weight to win the Morris Oil Home Heat Handicap chase, Danny O'Connell's charge winning from favourite Dromhale Lady.
David Wachman's Le-Monde won the final race of the day when he held off the late surge of top-weight Camden Tanner to win the Morris Oil Unleaded Petrol Handicap Hurdle. Mark Grant partnered the 10 to 1 chance to a one and a half length success.
