The crowds are expected to pile into Greenmount Park on Thursday despite the absence of the local star Beef Or Salmon from the featured Grade Two Guinness Novice Chase.

Michael Hourigan had endured a frustrating week trying to secure a top jockey for Beef Or Salmon and the Patrickswell trainer conceded defeat yesterday.

Instead of facing novices for the first time in his fledgling chasing career, Beef Or Salmon will instead take on the big boys in Saturday's Grade One Ericsson chase at Leopardstown.

"We just couldn't secure a jockey on St Stephen's Day so instead we will go for the Ericsson. Timmy Murphy will ride," Hourigan said yesterday.

It will be just Beef Or Salmon's third start over fences but despite that he is already a 25 to 1 shot for the Gold Cup after wins against senior opposition at Clonmel and Cork.

His absence will be a blow to the Limerick executive, who are expecting to cater for nearly 400 runners over the four days of racing.

"The ground (yielding to soft) is in fantastic order and ticket sales have been overwhelming," said the Limerick manager Angus Houston.

Special buses from Colbert Station in Limerick will run to the track from 10.45 a.m., and return buses will be available until 5.30 p.m.

Beef Or Salmon's absence from the €45,000 feature looks to have left the way open for Barrow Drive to resume his winning habit.

A five-in-a-row hot-streak came to end in the Drinmore when beaten by Le Coudray, but there was no disgrace in failing by six lengths to that horse.

The 20-length Fairyhouse scorer Be My Belle gets 8lbs from Barrow Drive, while the Clonmel winner The Premier Cat will bring a solid jumping technique to the party. Nevertheless Barrow Drive looks set to boost the Le Coudray form ahead of the Dennys.

Le Coudray's owner JP McManus will be keeping half an eye on his local track, with the reappearance of Hit The Net in the bumper.

Runner-up to Leinster in a hot looking bumper at Punchestown in April, Hit The Net looks one to follow.

Mind Over Matter goes in the conditions hurdle and the Flynn runner shouldn't have to deal with the likes of Scarthy Lad in this.

However, the hardy Private Ben might prove too tough a nut to crack.

Barrow Drive: Can take advantage of Beef Or Salmon's absence from the featured Grade Two Guinness Novice Chase at Limerick.