BEEF OR SALMON TO RUN IN GOLD CUP AT PUNCHESTOWN Beef Or Salmon will attempt to restore his glowing reputation in the Heineken Gold Cup at Punchestown on Wednesday. The Michael Hourigan-trained seven-year-old was unbeaten in four chase starts until his third fence fall in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and missed an easier option in last Tuesday's Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse because Hourigan was unhappy with the ground. The going at Punchestown at present is described as Good. Only 2mm of rain arrived on Thursday, far less than fell in other parts of the country. The Irish Met Office forecast about half an inch or more on Friday with unsettled weather for the following few days. Hourigan said on Thursday: 'We've given Beef Or Salmon a couple of pops over fences since Cheltenham and he was fine. He worked really well yesterday morning and he runs on Wednesday.' Paddy Power has installed Hourigan's charge as 6-5 favourite while last years winner Florida Pearl is available at 16-1. Willie Mullins has yet to make a decision on his eleven-year-old's participation. Florida Pearl has failed to win this season and ran poorly on his most recent start when dropped to two miles in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at last month's Cheltenham Festival. 'He is entered at Punchestown but I haven't made up my mind whether I'm going to run him or not,' Mullins said. 'He's not really showing his old sparkle. He just seems to be having an off year. He hasn't got that spark back. I'll do my best to get him there. 'He's in great form himself but his work hasn't been as good as it can be. Things haven't gone right for him this year and we'll probably have to draw a line through the year.' A total of 18 horses remain in the Grade 1 contest after Thursday's forfeit stage, including Francois Doumen's back-to-form chaser First Gold. Cheltenham Gold Cup third Harbour Pilot is still in the race along with the Ted Walsh-trained duo Commanche Court and Rince Ri. There are four British entries. They are Cheltenham disappointment Hussard Collonges, Killusty, See More Business and Young Spartacus. First Gold, who was on Thursday ruled out of the Attheraces Gold Cup at Sandown in favour of this race, would be the first French-trained runner at the festival if there is an ease in the ground. Paddy Power make Paul Carberry 6-4 favourite to be the leading jockey at the meeting and go 15-8 Barry Geraghty, 5-2 Ruby Walsh, 12 Norman Williamson, 16 Conor O'Dwyer, 20 Timmy Murphy.
