Beef Or Salmon is second only to Best Mate in Gold Cup ante-post lists after an impressive victory in the Ericsson Chase.
Michael Hourigan has made no secret of his high regard for the 6yo gelding, generally 10/1 2nd fav in Cheltenham Gold Cup lists, who is now 3 from 3 over fences on the track.
Timmy Murphy, who completed a 147/1 treble on the day, held him up in rear and after 5 of the 7 runners were virtually in the air together at the last, quickened clear on the run-in.
Beef Or Salmon had 6L to spare over long-time leader Colonel Braxton at the line, with Harbour Pilot just a short-head away in third.
Rince Ri (blowing hard post-race) and First Gold (respiratory tract infection) both dropped away tamely from two out.
Hourigan, asked to compare the winner with the retired Dorans Pride, said, 'This horse really jumps. Dorans Pride has a great heart but had to put a lot of effort into his jumping.'
'He will be entered for the Hennessy here in February, and the Gold Cup.'
Be My Belle bounced back from a disappointing effort at Limerick on St Stephens Day when making all under Murphy in the William Neville & Sons Novice Chase.
'She's tough, and takes her races well. I can't explain her run at Limerick,' said delighted winning trainer Sean Treacy, enjoying one of his biggest wins.
He added, 'The Irish National is a possible target, with the Thyestes and the Dr P J Moriarty Novice Chase likely races in the meantime.'
Murphy also started off the day on a winning note in the maiden hurdle aboard the Hourigan-trained Hi Cloy, who led after the last to beat Rosenca, slightly hampered on the run-in, by 1 1/2L.
'He's a proper horse, and will make a nice chaser in time,' said the Limerick handler.
Limestone Lad recorded his 35th career win with a facile all-the-way success in the woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle.
Paul Carberry could afford to ease the popular gelding right down after the last to beat Boss Doyle (now to be retired) by 9L, with Bannow Bay a further 2 1/2L away in third.
The Boyne Hurdle and a 2 1/2m event at Naas were named as targets for Limestone Lad before the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham, for which he is now 5/1 (from 6's) with Cashmans.
Hardy Eustace is generally an 8/1 chance for the Royal & SunAlliance Novice Hurdle after justifying odds-on support in the 2003 Special Olympics World Games Novice Hurdle.
Kieran Kelly sent the 5yo gelding to the front before the last, and he kept on well to beat the patiently ridden Nil Desperandum by 3/4L.
'He did it well as he would like the ground a lot better than that. He's a lazy type, and the Deloitte & Touche Hurdle (2m2f) here in February is a likely target before Cheltenham,' said trainer Dessie Hughes.
Some Buzz is 12/1 (from 25's) with Paddy Power for the Pierce Hurdle after cruising to the front before the last under Gary Hutchinson for a convincing win in the handicap hurdle.
Mark The Man drew clear from the home turn to land the bumper by 13L under Niall Madden.
