Black Jack Ketchum - poised for victory.
BLACK JACK THE ACE IN THE BRIT PACK
March 17
Beef Or Salmon bids to atone for his previous failures in the race when leading the Irish challenge for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday.
Victory for the Michael Hourigan-trained gelding, or indeed for any of Ireland's other representatives, would set the seal on a memorable week for the raiding party, and would complete the Champion Hurdle/Champion Chase/ Gold Cup treble that was achieved by different horses last year.
If the race was run at Leopardstown one could be reasonably confident that Beef Or Salmon would have the resources to cope with the opposition he faces here.
However, there has to be a doubt based on his record in previous visits to Prestbury Park, and it is therefore more in hope than with any great conviction that he is put forward.
War Of Attrition should vindicate the decision to bypass the Ryanair Chase by making the frame. He finished in front of Forget The Past and Hedgehunter when chasing home Beef Or Salmon in the Lexus at Leopardstown in December, and while Forget The Past has looked in good shape since then it will be a mild surprise if he can turn the tables.
The Willie Mullins-trained Mister Hight puts his unbeaten hurdling record on the line in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.
After the debacle of Wednesday when the stable's four-strong team flopped dismally in the Champion Bumper, the trainer will be hoping that his prime hope for the meeting will live up to expectations.
Breathing Fire has an each-way chance for Jessica Harrington, though it is hard to escape the conclusion that Afsoun, despite a recent scare, is the main danger to Mister Hight.
Black Jack Ketchum has obvious credentials in the Brit Insurances Novices' Hurdle, in which the most accomplished of the Irish raiders - Travino - would prefer soft ground.
Harbour Pilot, a veteran of previous Gold Cups, heads the Irish challenge for a renewal of the Christie's Foxhunter Chase in which the home team does not seem especially strong.
After winning in the manner expected on his point-to-point debut at Tinahely he produced a rather lacklustre effort in a hunters' chase at Leopardstown, but had worked badly beforehand and only took part in order to secure qualification.
On his old form he would make short work of this opposition, and is preferred to compatriot Whyso Mayo and to Jonjo O'Neill's runner Drombeag, who was placed in the National Hunt Chase two years ago.
The Arthur Moore-trained Tiger Cry is capable of a bold showing in the Grand Annual, though the principals here appear to be Andreas and Green Tango.
Ireland's overall record in the County Hurdle is not great, and some well-punted horses have failed to deliver in the past.
However, Jessica Harrington knows what it takes to win it, having been successful with Spirit Leader, and the progressive Pierse Hurdle winner Studmaster may be good enough to send the Irish home on a winning note.
Selections
2.00 Mister Hight
2.35 Black Jack Ketchum (nap)
3.15 Beef Or Salmon
4.00 Harbour Pilot
4.40 Green Tango
5.20 Studmaster
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