RACING: Beef Or Salmon's chances of defending his Hennessy Gold Cup crown at Leopardstown on Sunday are described as being more than 75 per cent in his favour.
Trainer Michael Hourigan was giving an update on the progress of his star chaser who has been on the easy list since mucus was found in his lungs at Christmas.
"I haven't really worked him yet since then but I will possibly do so on Saturday. That will be interesting and I could work him again on the Wednesday," he said.
Asked to rate Beef Or Salmon's chances of making it to the Leopardstown feature, Hourigan replied: "At the moment the plan is to race. I see no reason why he shouldn't. I would say his chances are more than 75 per cent."
With the French star First Gold described as being most unlikely to travel and instead waiting for Newbury's Aon Chase, the appearance of Beef Or Salmon would be an important boost for Leopardstown. The Jonjo O'Neill-trained Keen Leader, a 7 to 1 second favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup with some firms, is among the entries but no final decision on his participation has been taken.
Nevertheless, Keen Leader was installed 7 to 4 favourite for the Hennessy by Cashmans who started betting on the race yesterday. Next best is the smart handicapper Cloudy Bays at 7 to 1 while Le Coudray and Harbour Pilot are on 8 to 1. Beef Or Salmon is quoted at 2 to 1 with a run and First Gold is 4 to 1 with a run.
It now looks likely that Florida Pearl will try to secure a remarkable fourth victory in the Hennessy despite being ruled out of tomorrow's Ascot Chase by trainer Willie Mullins.
"He didn't work as well as he should on Tuesday which I wasn't too worried about but he then scoped on Wednesday and he wasn't 100 per cent clear. We've decided there is no point travelling him and taking on Grade One horses," Mullins said.
"Otherwise the horse is fine if just a little unwell and I think there is a good chance he will make the Hennessy," he added.
Mullins also intends running another former Hennessy hero in Alexander Banquet and has the novice Rule Supreme, third in the Thyestes at Gowran, also entered for the race.
Cashmans bet: 7-4 Keen Leader, 7 Cloudy Bays, 8 Le Coudray & Harbour Pilot, 10 Rince Ri, Commanche Court & Florida Pearl, 20 Rule Supreme, 33 Alexander Banquet & Be My Belle, 50 Bar. 2 "with a run" Beef Or Salmon, 4 "with a run" First Gold.
The ground at Punchestown ahead of Sunday's meeting is currently "soft" on the main track with unsettled weather forecast for the weekend.
