Connections Have No Beef With Salmon

Connections of Beef Or Salmon are on tenterhooks as the pride of Ireland prepares to silence his doubters once and for all at Cheltenham today. The Michael Hourigan-trained nine-year-old - a multiple big-race winner but still to convince in some quarters - is favourite for chasing´s blue riband following the defections of Best Mate and Kingscliff.

'Sure there is no Best Mate and some of the other stars are missing but, at the same time, there is plenty to fear in a big field,' Hourigan said.

'In many ways it´s going to be more difficult because we are now likely to start favourite, although the horse doesn´t know that.

'I don´t feel under any great pressure. 'People talk about it being third time lucky for us, but I brought Dorans Pride here four times and he didn´t win the Gold Cup.

'You have to be very lucky and everything has to go for you.'

Paul Carberry will renew his partnership with Beef Or Salmon, having lost his 100 per cent record on Hourigan´s charge at Leopardstown last month.

'Paul hasn´t sat on the horse since the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February. Beef Or Salmon scoped badly after that and we realised that something was wrong,' Hourigan said.

'Fortunately he has recovered in time, but it was still a major sweat on my part when the vet examined him recently to see if all was clear.

'It was the longest minute of my life.'

Carberry will not see Beef Or Salmon until he arrives in the parade ring.

'I have no particular plan of action,' Hourigan added. 'Paul knows what he has to do, he has ridden the horse before and the rest is up to him.

'He´s in good form. He had a canter this morning as his final preparation for tomorrow. He´s fine and healthy.'

'It will be a true test, three and a quarter miles and a lot of fences. You just need an awful lot of luck. Paul has to be in the right shape and everything has to happen in the race.

'A horse could fall in front of him, anything could happen and you need a lot of luck - my heart will beat a little bit faster when the tapes go up.

'It will be my seventh tilt at the Gold Cup and if he won it would be a great achievement. If it doesn´t happen we can try next year, but we are looking forward to tomorrow.

'Strong Flow and Celestial Gold look the main dangers, but like I said you have to be very lucky - everything has to go right.

'I´d like to have my horse spot on for the day, which I think I have, and hopefully nothing happens and he doesn´t fall over.'

Connections of Strong Flow have voiced their concerns about the drying ground, but Hourigan is far from concerned.

'I think the drying ground will be a big help to me. He won on the quick up at the Curragh after he fell in the Gold Cup three years ago and Mick Kinane, who rode him, said the ground didn´t want to be any quicker on the day, but it was quick,' he said.

A victory would be a dream come true for owner Joe Craig.

'It´s difficult reminding yourself not to get too excited. After all, it´s only a horse race,' the Ulsterman said.

'Of course, it would be hard to stay cool.

'I try not to get over enthusiastic about his chances beforehand, but I have backed him at 14-1 and that was struck in the autumn.

'At that stage I was confident he would run a big race at the Festival and, so far, I see no reason to change my mind.

'Beef Or Salmon has had an up and down career as we all know. He injured his back on his first visit to Cheltenham two years ago, but he ran a big race last year when finishing fourth after having had all sorts of problems.

'I have been delighted with him this season and don´t forget that he beat Kicking King impressively at Down Royal in November, and he also hammered Best Mate at Leopardstown.

'I suppose you could say that race was the highlight of my career as an owner. I never forget the excitement as I led him through the winner´s enclosure.

'At the same time, though, he ran an even better race, in my view, at Punchestown last year and if he reproduces the form he showed then, there will be nothing to stop him.'

Craig, naturally enough, does not suffer from lack of confidence, but he is an astute individual who has been round many corners in the racing game.

He knows that although some of the bigger names have dropped out of the big event, it still will not be an easy race to win. But he believes that if Carberry gets Beef Or Salmon settled early on, he will do it.

'I have great faith in Paul,' he said. 'He rode a blinder when winning on Beef Or Salmon in the Lexus Chase at Christmas.

'He´s a great character and hopefully, Beef Or Salmon will give Paul his big day.

'But although Best Mate is absent, along with some of the other names like Kingscliff and Rule Supreme, we still have it all to do.

'Kicking King has been mooted to be our biggest danger, but I honestly don´t think he will reverse the placings of Down Royal.

'I just don´t believe he will stay the extended three miles, while our fellow certainly will.

'To win the Gold Cup would be unbelievable as far as I´m concerned and it would be a great occasion to bring this trophy back to Northern Ireland.

'I have a sneaking suspicion that we´ll do it, but I´m almost afraid to say so. That´s how the Gold Cup grabs you.'

? PA Sport