Racing:Irish trainer Michael Hourigan has issued an upbeat report on Beef Or Salmon ahead of his bid for a 10th Grade One victory on Saturday.
The 10-year-old is set to tackle the £200,000 Betfair Chase at Haydock Park after beating Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition by a neck in the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal last time out.
Beef Or Salmon completed his build-up with a gallop on Tuesday and Hourigan is hoping he can improve on last year's second place behind Kingscliff in the three-mile vent.
Hourigan said: "Beef Or Salmon worked yesterday and he's fine — I'm very happy with him. He's a year older but he's in grand form and we're looking forward to Saturday, all being well.
"He's better when the ground is soft so we just would like a bit of rain. The softer the better for him."
Beef Or Salmon's Down Royal success came in the hands of Andrew McNamara who was partnering the gelding for the first time over fences, having ridden him twice previously over hurdles.
Hourigan, who also has Church Island entered in the race, added: "Andrew gave him a good ride at Down Royal and hopefully we can have the same result at Haydock."
The going at Haydock is currently good to soft with blustery showers forecast over the next two days.