Racing: Best Mate's Christmas expedition to Ireland last year resulted in a Leopardstown rout but the Beef Or Salmon team haven't been scared off another challenge at the triple Cheltenham Gold Cup hero in Monday's Lexus Chase.
The 2003 version, known as the Ericsson, was a hugely hyped clash between the highest rated staying chasers in Britain and Ireland. But this time Michael Hourigan is taking a more low-key approach.
"Last year doesn't really matter because we have had a better preparation this time and there haven't been any headaches," Beef Or Salmon's trainer said. "The horse is in good old form and we haven't had any problems since the Durkan."
That Punchestown race earlier in the month resulted in a lack-lustre effort behind Kicking King but Hourigan attributes that to an interrupted build-up after winning the Nicholson Chase in Down Royal.
Last March Beef Or Salmon was a fast-finishing fourth in the Gold Cup after a preparation interrupted by well-publicised back problems. However, despite that issue having been cleared up, the bookmakers remain convinced the odds still heavily favour Best Mate next week.
Paddy Power make Henrietta Knight's superstar a 4 to 7 favourite to come out on top again with Beef Or Salmon on 5 to 2. It's then 10 to 1 with both Pizarro and Harbour Pilot after a total of just eight horses were declared at yesterday's forfeit stage. They included the King George VI Chase favourite Kicking King.
Another possible absentee is Rule Supreme who holds another entry on Monday in the Grade Two Woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle. His trainer Wille Mullins said yesterday: "He could run in either. I'm delighted with the way he has come out of Windsor at the weekend and we will keep our options open. With his ability he seems just as good whether we take the chasing or hurdling route."
However, it could be significant that Ruby Walsh, who partnered Rule Supreme at the weekend, also rode Beef Or Salmon in a post-race piece of work at Thurles race last Sunday.
The horse's regular jockey Timmy Murphy is due to appear before a disciplinary hearing in Britain tomorrow to see if he will be able to ride over the Christmas period.
Paul Carbery rode Beef Or Salmon in his early chasing starts but he could be claimed for the ride on Harbour Pilot who is "50-50" to run in the Lexus.
Leopardstown's Wednesday highlight will be the Bewley's Hotel December Festival Hurdle and the 10-strong entry left in yesterday include most of the top Irish hopes for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle. They include the reigning champion Hardy Eustace who was runner-up to Solerina on his return at Navan. He is set to clash with the James Bowe-trained mare again next week.
Solerina's chances are still rated by the Bowe team, however, and Michael Bowe said: "She's lucky she doesn't read the papers because everyone expects her to get turned over.
"She was unlucky in the race last year when things didn't go her way but she's a much stronger mare now and seems as good as ever despite being at a peak since the McManus in October. However, she does do very little between races."
The race entry also includes Brave Inca as well as Macs Joy while Royal Shakespeare has been left in by the cross-channel trainer Steve Gollings.
The Noel Meade-trained Harchibald is likely to travel to Kempton for the Christmas Hurdle rather than appear at Leopardstown.
Hardy Eustace has been installed a 9 to 4 favourite for the race by Powers with Solerina (5 to 2), Macs Joy (7 to 2) and Brave Inca (4 to 1) next best.
Monday's other Grade One contest is the Ascon-Rohcon Novice Chase where the highly-rated Mark The Man is likely to try to follow up his impressive Navan debut success.
Among his challengers will be Sandy Owen and that one's trainer Pat Fahy said yesterday: "He is in top-class form and I'm really looking forward to running him over three miles. The more the ground dries out the better."
Fahy also gave an upbeat report on Mariah Rollins who is due to run in Sunday's Durkan New Homes Novice Chase. "John Cullen schooled her at the Curragh this morning and she was deadly over her fences. She should cope okay with the soft ground," he said.
BETTING (Lexus Chase: Paddy Power): 4-7 Best Mate, 5-2 Beef Or Salmon, 10 Pizarro and Harbour Pilot, 14 Rule Supreme, 25 Cloudy Bays, 66 Barrow Drive.
