Doyle looking forward to Beef ride Tom Doyle is looking forward to riding Beef Or Salmon for the first time in public in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday. Michael Hourigan´s 12-year-old tackles handicap chase company for only the second time in a long and illustrious career in search of his first victory for over 13 months. He has won 10 Grade One contests among 19 career wins and amassed a total of #983,636 prize money, but has to give upwards of 11lb to his rivals tomorrow. "He´s a grand old horse and I´m looking forward to riding him," said Doyle. "I´ve sat on him at home and you wouldn´t think he was a 12-year-old, he´s bouncing. "He has not been disgraced this season even though his form is not quite to the standard it used to be. "It´s a big ask with 12st, but I´m hopeful he´ll run well. He could do with it being a bit softer, the ground´s drying out a bit." Andrew McNamara, who partnered Beef Or Salmon to his last win in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February 2007, takes the mount on Ballistraw. "I´m looking forward to it. I schooled him round Naas and he popped away well," he told At The Races. "He seems in good form. He´s got plenty of weight with 11st 1lb. He´s a good strong horse and hopefully he´ll run a big race."
