RACING: Beef Or Salmon firmly established himself as one of the leading contenders for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup when passing his entry exam in fine style in the Grade One James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday.

He cemented his position as the leading staying chaser in Ireland with a three-and-a-half-length victory over Kicking King.

Beef Or Salmon was plagued by back problems through last term, but trainer Michael Hourigan has always maintained the gelding has immense talent.

And bookmakers were starting to take him seriously after the even-money favourite lit up a dull and damp afternoon.

William Hill were most impressed, cutting Beef Or Salmon to 7-1 from 10s for the March showpiece.

"I was never worried heading into the race and am very pleased with his performance," said a delighted Hourigan as his pride and joy enjoyed a good blow after ploughing through the mud.

"He has suffered a nasty overreach on his near-fore during the race, but it is nothing a stroll on the beach will not solve. We'll decide in a week's time on his next target, but it is more than likely to be the Lexus Chase (formerly Ericsson) at Leopardstown.

"He'll also be entered at Clonmel (the Clonmel Oil Chase on November 18th), but I don't think he will run."

"I am thrilled with him," said the runner-up'strainer Tom Taaffe. "He has run a smasher, but was a little bit too free. This was all about growing up, though, and he has run well taking on the big boys."