Timmy Murphy completed a 9.5/1 double in the two Grade 3 races when successful aboard both Beef Or Salmon and Satco Express.
Michael Hourigan has long believed that Beef Or Salmon is a natural successor to Dorans Pride as the star of his Patrickswell yard, and the six-year-old gelding passed another test on his education over fences when taking the O'Connell Transport Hilly Way Chase in great style.
'I decided to run him over two miles as he would learn a lot more, and he hardly made a mistake against experienced horses,' said a delighted Hourigan after his charge cruised to the front before the last to beat River Clodagh by four-and-a-half-lengths. 'He's proved himself now, and it's quite possible we'll take the easier option over Christmas of a novice at Limerick rather than going for the Ericsson. He's exciting, and the further he goes the better he is going to be.'
Murphy had to work much harder aboard Satco Express in the three mile novice hurdle, with Eamonn Sheehy's charge making all and digging deep from the last to hold off Raven Rock by half a length with Colonel Monroe the same distance back in third. 'He's a nice horse, and should be even better over fences,' said Murphy afterwards.
The Arkle Chase at Leopardstown is a likely target for Jurado Express, who justified favouritism under Conor O'Dwyer in the novice chase. Arthur Moore's charge kept on gamely to beat Rathgar Beau by half a length, and the Naas handler said: 'I would prefer to keep him to two miles. He's not entered in the Denny Chase, so the Arkle is one of the few options available.'
Sam Curling, who will have his appeal against a ten day 'non-trier' ban heard on Thursday, was seen to good effect on Back In Thyne in the handicap chase. The Enda Bolger-trained gelding rallied on the run-in to touch off Garvivonnian by half a length, and 'will go somewhere over Christmas'.
Yukon led on the far rail early in the straight under Kieran Kelly to take the handicap hurdle, while Millennium Lily (Garrett Cotter) overcame a mistake at the last in the maiden hurdle to beat the fast-finishing favourite Rosenca by two lengths.
Alan Magee
