Racing: Michael Hourigan yesterday received a welcome boost ahead of Beef Or Salmon's crack at the Cheltenham Gold Cup by saddling his first winner for two months.
Arteea easily landed a novice hurdle at Naas under big-race jockey Paul Carberry, which lifted a huge weight from the trainer's shoulders.
"This horse has been working with Beef Or Salmon, which gives me a bit of a relief as I haven't trained a winner since January," said the Co Limerick handler.
Twice a Grade One winner this term, when he beat Best Mate and Kicking King, Beef Or Salmon has not been seen since finishing runner-up to Rule Supreme in the Irish Hennessy last month.
"He had a bit of mucus in his throat and had to have about a week off after the Hennessy, but it has happened to everybody," Hourigan went on. "It is unbelievable what has happened to a lot of the trainers here in Ireland, just look at Noel Meade, and even Jonjo (O'Neill) in England. Some stables are flying, but we are not."
Beef Or Salmon was supported into 5 to 1 from 13 to 2 with William Hill, having completed his preparations in a gallop with Arteea at Limerick racecourse on Friday.
"Friday morning was the longest minute of my life when the vet scoped him at 7.30am - what was he going to say when the scope came out?" said Hourigan. "Everything in the race is a danger and you just want to get there safe, sound and healthy."
Carberry, who was having his first ride back since returning from an injury sustained while out hunting, was stood down for the rest of the day afterwards, although it was reportedly just a precautionary measure.
The ante-post favourite Hardy Eustace will face 14 rivals as he bids for a second successive win in tomorrow's Champion Hurdle.
Dessie Hughes' eight-year-old will be trying to follow up on last year's win in the Grade One race, when he beat Rooster Booster by five lengths.
Philip Hobbs' runner will reoppose Hardy Eustace, as will the O'Neill-trained Intersky Falcon, who was third in that race.
Hardy Eustace, the 3 to 1 favourite, leads an eight-strong Irish contingent, with his main market rival, Back In Front, also declared by Edward O'Grady.
Noel Meade's Harchibald was the race favourite until last weekend when he disappointed in a piece of work, but he also runs, along with Colm Murphy's Brave Inca and the Jessica Harrington-trained Macs Joy.
The Irish raiding party is completed by Michael O'Brien's Trophy Hurdle winner Essex, Paul Nolan's Accordion Etoile and the John Queally-trained Al Eile.
Along with Rooster Booster and Intersky Falcon, home interests will be represented by the Steve Gollings-trained Royal Shakespeare, Patrick Chamings' Self Defense and Michael Scudamore's rank outsiders Astonville, Present Bleu and Turnium.
The only withdrawal at the final declaration stage was the Scudamore-trained Solarius.
Essex, who has also won the Pierse Hurdle this term, will be ridden for the first time by champion jockey Tony McCoy.
