The heavily-back Beef Or Salmon produced a near faultless round of jumping to take the Punchestown Heineken Gold Cup today.
Michael Hourigan's eight-year-old was always travelling well after being settled towards the back of the field by Timmy Murphy, and came cruising up after the second-last to challenge the leader, First Gold.
Murphy only had to kick on and Beef Or Salmon accelerated away in fine style before producing another perfect leap at the last to win cosily by four lengths and justify 5-4 favouritism.
First Gold, who had been engaged in a tussle up front with Harbour Pilot, just faded out of second spot after the last.
