RACING: Michael Hourigan has described Beef Or Salmon as only a "possible" runner in next month's Hennessy Gold Cup.

Last year's Leopardstown winner is back in work after recovering from the bug that affected his Ericsson performance at Christmas.

However, Hourigan insists he will not rush the return of Ireland's principal Cheltenham Gold Cup hope. "He is fine but he is no more than a possible for the Hennessy. I am not going to rush it. The danger is in running them before they are ready.

"I did that with a good horse called Ballygowan Beauty some years ago and he never finished another race for me. I won't make the same mistake again. My horses who didn't have that bug are running well but it's not as clear with those who did. So I will wait and see," Hourigan said. Beef Or Salmon is as long as 16 to 1 for the Gold Cup in which he fell at the third fence last year.

There was bad news from Frances Crowley yesterday as she reported that the SunAlliance Chase second favourite Nil Desperandum is a doubtful starter at Cheltenham. The Drinmore winner will miss out on his intended start at Naas tomorrow and the PJ Moriarty Chase on Hennessy day after suffering an over-reach in a front leg.

"He will have to stand in his box for a few weeks and there must be a doubt about Cheltenham," said Crowley. "But it's too early to say if he will run again this season."

One injured star definitely out of the festival is Edward O'Grady's Sacundai who had been as low as 7 to 1 for the Stayers' Hurdle.