Salmon for repeat win

Racing Weekend previews Michael Hourigan adopted a fighting policy from the outset with Beef Or Salmon and for his first run over fences selected a Grade Two contest, the Morris Oil sponsorship over 2m 4f at Clonmel, towards the end of last November.

The opposition was made up of four seasoned campaigners rated between 132 and 156. But getting almost a stone from Sackville, Beef Or Salmon emerged a convincing three-and-a-half-length winner.

As a strategy this has a downside as well an upside. While one avoids picking up bad habits from jumping in the company of novicey leppers, one's subsequent targets are limited and thus Beef Or Salmon found himself lining up for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup with an unbeaten chase record made up of just four races. It is history that he fell at the third fence.

With an attempt to rehabilitate himself in this season's Gold Cup Hourigan is opting to run him in races that will provide jumping experience rather than serious competition.

Tomorrow's O'Connell Warehousing Hilly Way Chase at Cork, a race Beef Or Salmon won last year, has thus found its way on to his programme a bare week after beating a very high class Martin Pipe raider Tiutchev at Punchestown.

Trainer Willie Mullins saddles Killultagh Storm and feels his charge will have conditions to suit. "Our fellow will love the track and the ground, his best form is around this trip," Mullins said yesterday. "It might be the case that Beef Or Salmon had a hard enough race last week, but it will be a very tight contest. Beef Or Salmon is weighted to win, but I don't think there is a pound or two between the others on the handicap, so it is going to be very good race."

The same sponsors have also come to the assistance of the Stayers' Novice Hurdle where a better value nap could be Moscow Court. Jessica Harrington blamed herself for leaving him short of work prior to a "whipper in" run at Punchestown and looked a different proposition in a hurdle at Thurles close on three miles where he gave 7lb to Royal All Star and went away from him on the flat.

Jessica Harrington could also win the Cork bumper with Ulaan Baatar who should comfortably reverse Navan placings with Brouling, the pair having been fourth and fifth to Special Rate.

Navan's bid to put on a top quality National Hunt programme has had to accept that in the lead up to Christmas there is a shortage of horses for such events. However, James Bowe despite, also having Christmas very much on his agenda, is still ready to take on all comers with Solerina and Florida Coast in the Giltspur Scientific Tara Hurdle. Once again Solerina should not be headed.

Fairyhouse has the scene to itself this afternoon and an in-form proven stayer Lotomore Lad is napped for a second win in a row while Noel Meade on his local track can have a double with First Diploma and Fighter Pilot.