Beef Wins Royal War Beef Or Salmon gave owners Joe Craig and Dan McLarnon a day to remember by winning the James Nicholson Champion Chase at Down Royal this afternoon. The popular gelding defeated last season's Gold Cup winner, War of Attrition in a pulsating finish. In the aftermath of the Grade 1 contest, bookmakers William Hill shortened Beef or Salmon from 33-1 to 25-1 for the Cheltenham Gold. The runner-up War of Attrition remained unchanged at 3-1 favourite for the Gold Cup.Justified, who finished third in the Champion Grade 1 contest received a 14-1 quote for the Stan James King George and was also shortened from 20-1 to 14-1 for the Queen Mother Chase.In Compliance was also cut by William Hill for the Gold Cup, the bookmakers are now 14-1 from 20-1 for the Cheltenham Showpiece following his impressive victory in the grade 3 Killultagh properties chase at Down Royal today.
