Beef Or Salmon’s career has been a roller-coaster affair since the heady days of his novice campaign, and it may be tempting fate to regard today’s race as a mere formality. However, it is undeniable that everything points to a second win in the race for the Michael Hourigan-trained 10-year-old. He made an excellent return when finishing second to Kingscliff at Haydock, and was untroubled in coming home clear of War Of Attrition in the Lexus Chase over the course and distance, with Hedgehunter beaten 17 lengths in fourth.
While Hedgehunter may get a fair bit closer this time, anything but a performance of authority by Beef Or Salmon would be a blow to his prospects of atoning for past disappointments in next month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. It is essential that he comes through today’s test in proven form and with his confidence intact.
Hedgehunter, whose trainer Willie Mullins has won six of the past seven runnings of the event, looks virtually nailed-on for second, with a clear advantage over the remainder, all of whom have question marks against them in a race at this level.
Ted Walsh supports the feature race by running both Jack High, winner of two valuable handicaps last season, and the veteran Rince Ri, but it seems fair to assume that his priority today will be Southern Vic’s participation in the Dr PJ Moriarty Chase. Billed from early in his career as a potential chasing star, the seven-year-old has lived up to expectations in his races over three miles this season, and now puts his reputation on the line over three furlongs shorter and on ground that may not be as soft as he likes. In the circumstances, he could not be a confident selection but the quality of his jumping should help to see off challengers such as Our Ben, Sher Beau and Kill Devil Hill.
The Deloitte Novice Hurdle witnesses a showdown between two unbeaten horses, Mr Nosie and Glenfinn Captain, and if Mr Nosie is in the same sort of form as when beating Blueberry Boy at the venue in December he should emerge with his record intact. His trainer Noel Meade can also hit the target with former stable star Harbour Pilot, now enjoying a new lease of life as a hunter chaser.
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In the bumper the Willie Mullins-trained Alexander Buffet bids to join the stable’s growing list of Cheltenham possibles, and Mullins will also be looking for a good display from Mister Hight in the Cashmans Juvenile Hurdle to cement his Triumph Hurdle claims.