Brassil - Nick Can Go The Distance

Connections of Nickname are confident he can make a seamless transition up to three miles in the Irish Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Trainer Martin Brassil said: "I've always had it in the back of my mind to step him up in trip, especially the way he has been finishing his races this year.

"I've thought for some time that two and a half miles could be his best trip but things worked out for him so well last year.

"They were going such a fast gallop in those two-mile races that they were playing into his hands as he was just staying on.

"He had never run over two miles until I got him, he had always run over further.

"He probably needed the really soft ground over two but he might not need it so soft over further.

"It's great to have a runner in a race as good as this."

There will not be a dry eye in the house if Beef Or Salmon can lift a fourth Irish Hennessy.

Michael Hourigan's grand old servant already has 10 wins at the highest level to his name, a feat only surpassed by Moscow Flyer in recent times.

His last Grade One triumph came in the Hennessy 12 months ago when the 12-year-old collared British challenger The Listener inside the final 100 yards to leave his proud trainer overwhelmed.

"It was a brilliant reception he got last year when he won his 10th Grade One and it would be great if he could win it for a fourth time," said Hourigan.

Beef Or Salmon was just over five lengths behind Denman in the Lexus Chase on his last start but Hourigan believes he can improve on that performance.

"He's in good form and he worked well this morning. We've got our fingers crossed for him and hopefully his age doesn't come in to it," added the County Limerick handler.

"He didn't have the best preparation going into the Lexus but nothing has gone wrong this time.

"It's a cracking race. Mister Top Notch could be the one to beat, he is improving fast."

The Listener once again takes on Beef Or Salmon.

After his stroll around Down Royal to win the two-and-a-half-mile John Durkan Memorial Chase, there is a school of thought which suggests he may be better over shorter trips than the three miles of the Hennessy.

"We got here last night, he's had a spin round the track and he travelled well," said Nick Mitchell, Robert and Sally Alner's assistant.

"He's settled well and he seems in good form.

"There's cloud-cover forecast so as long as it doesn't dry out too much and they get spots of rain, the ground should be fine.

"I know where people are coming from about his stamina but he won the Lexus on heavy ground and only just got beat in this last year.

"I'm of the opinion that he gets three miles on an easy track.

"I'd say it's the most competitive Grade One three-mile chase of the season so far, certianly in betting terms."

(C) PA Sport