Irish pinning Gold Cup hopes on Beef

/ Editor / 05 March 2007 / Leave a Comment

Although he has failed to perform well at the track in all four previous attempts in the Gold Cup, Beef Or Salmon now appears the main hope for the Irish in next Friday's Cheltenham centrepiece.

Michael Hourigan's multiple Grade 1 winner has never looked at ease on the undulating Cheltenham track, but with the news last week that War Of Attrition misses the races and will be unable to defend his title, Beef Or Salmon has attracted steady market support and now trades at just 19.5 having been matched at an ante-post high of 160.

Hourigan told the Racing Post: "We're not going to get too excited about what he might or might not do back at Cheltenham.

"He's more than entitled to have another crack at the race and we're just going to enjoy the occasion and see what happens."

The 11-year-old proved that he can still mix it at the very highest level when defeating The Listener (currently 9.6 for the Gold Cup) in a thrilling finish at Leopardstown last month.