Hourigan Aiming Hi

Michael Hourigan is adamant Hi Cloy merits much more respect in today's Stan James King George VI Chase than his current price in the ante-post lists suggests.

The 10-year-old, four times a Grade One winner, is one of just seven runners in the Boxing Day showpiece, yet is the rank outsider and is available at 125-1 with the sponsors and as big as 150-1 with William Hill, although Coral are a more conservative 50-1.

'There is no reason for him to be 125-1 and he's great value, he'll run a big race,' the County Limerick handler said of his charge, who will be ridden by Paul Carberry.

While Hi Cloy tackles Kauto Star and company at Kempton, stable stalwart Beef Or Salmon waits in the wings for his big day at Leopardstown on Friday.

The 10-time Grade One winner will be part of what is shaping up to be the race of the season so far, and he will lock horns with Denman and The Listener in the Lexus Chase.

Third to Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last month, the chestnut owes connections nothing whatsoever now and a victory would undoubtedly lift the roof at a track where he has won six times.

Hourigan told BBC Radio 5 Live: 'He did his final bit of work (on Christmas Eve) with Mossbank. It's a big ask for Beef Or Salmon, he's going on 12 years of age now.

'But he's done us proud, he's a super horse. He's won this race three times and he's entitled to take his chance.'

? PA Sport