Racing/Leopardstown preview: It's six days later but Michael Hourigan still looks like having to call a halt to plans to run Beef Or Salmon at Leopardstown today.
The finale to the 2003 flat season, postponed from last Sunday due to the tragic death of Sean Cleary, features the November Handicap but the odds don't favour Beef Or Salmon appearing at all this weekend.
The 10 to 1 Cheltenham Gold Cup second favourite was never going to get sufficient cut in the ground to start his winter campaign at this afternoon's other meeting at Down Royal.
The forecast "firm" going there for the Grade One James Nicholson Wine Merchant Chase has resulted in a four-horse race for a €91,0000 first prize.
But Hourigan is still clinging to some hope of running his stable star on the flat.
"I will walk the track and I won't make any decision until I've done that. If I'm happy it is safe ground he will run but it doesn't look too encouraging," he said yesterday.
If Beef Or Salmon, one of the major jump stars in the country, misses out, then the spotlight will focus even more intensely on Michael Kinane.
Already assured of his 13th jockeys title, Kinane is just one winner short of his seventh century of winners in Ireland and has been given the chance to notch that victory up now that Magritte doesn't travel to France for the Criterium de St Cloud.
Kinane starts off with the Danzig newcomer Offenbach for Aidan O'Brien, continues with the admirable Livadiya in the Knockaire Stakes and also has the likely favourite Mikado in the Eyrefield Stakes.
However, some of his other mounts are worth examining. Athlumney Lad won well for the rider at Gowran and his stable companion Scottish Memories is one jumping star who will love the quick conditions in the November Handicap.
A Stakes winner on the flat in the past, Scottish Memories would hold serious claims off today's mark of 89 if anywhere near his best.
Considering the likes of Looks Like Trouble (2000) and Florida Pearl (1999) have won the Nicholson Chase, then this year's renewal looks at Down Royal looks like being a comparative penalty kick for such a Grade One prize.
Arctic Copper, owned by the Grand Alliance Racing Club is the highest rated of the quartet on 144 but with the benefit of a run at Wetherby last weekend, the SunAlliance third Barrow Drive looks the most likely winner.
His jockey Barry Geraghty could also play a role in the Stanley Racing Handicap Hurdle on Windsor Boy and he also has claims on Splendour in the Grade Three Chase.
This was won by Moscow Flyer last year but this time round trainer Jessica Harrington has Intelligent, winner at Uttoxetter on his last start.
Splendour was beaten in a two horse race by Risk Accessor at Thurles but still looks the answer in this four runner event.
