Racing: The Aga Khan has made a present to the Turf Club of funds which allowed it to purchase a hotel that could result in a new state-of-the-art grandstand being open for business at the Curragh by 2007.

Previous expansion and refurbishment plans for Ireland's most famous racecourse had been frustrated because of the proximity of the Stand House Hotel across the road from the current stands.

Remarkably, however, the Aga Khan last night disclosed that he gave the Turf Club the funds necessary to buy the hotel. All, or parts, of the hotel could now be incorporated into plans for the development of new facilities at the racetrack.

In a speech at last night's Moyglare Dinner, the Turf Club senior steward, Ray Rooney, described the move as "a milestone in the history of the Turf Club and of the Curragh".

"The gesture is enormous, the gift is enormous but the donor is a very special person whose love of Irish racing is unrivalled," he said.

The purchase price was described as a private matter but one estate agent yesterday put an estimate of almost €15 million on the property. It has been confirmed that the total cost of the facility was paid by the Aga Khan.

It is three years since the Aga Khan outlined criticisms of the current grandstand at the Curragh in a speech he gave at the Moyglare dinner. The headquarters of Irish racing, which hosts all five Classics, has been widely condemned in recent years for its lack of modern facilities.

At last night's dinner, in a speech delivered by his stud manager, Pat Downes, the Aga said: "I am particularly happy that I have had the opportunity to contribute to the potential redevelopment of the Curragh since the donation I have made to the Turf Club has given it the resources to acquire the Stand House Hotel.

"I remain convinced that the Curragh is today the racecourse which has the greatest potential for redevelopment of all the major European racecourses."

He also praised the "tact, discretion and admirable competence" of Ray Rooney, who opened negotiations with the owners of the Stand House, Jack and Jenny Tierney, 12 months ago. The deal was finally closed two weeks ago.

Rooney said yesterday: "We can now go ahead with plans to build a state-of-the-art facility that will compare with any in the world.

"Taking into account the planning demands, I would imagine we are talking about construction beginning in three years' time but I would certainly hope the grandstand phase can be completed in four years' time. It could be five by the time the total facility is completed."

Meanwhile, Beef Or Salmon may be Ireland's principal Gold Cup hope but at Punchestown tomorrow he faces Native Upmanship, the horse who has made the John Durkan Memorial Chase his own.

Successful last year and in 2000, only an inspired Florida Pearl interrupted Native Upmanship's domination in between.

Two and a half miles on decent ground is ideal for the Arthur Moore-trained horse, who will provide a stern test for Beef Or Salmon even without the benefit of a warm-up race.

"I would have liked a 'prep' race but he is pretty forward and I am happy enough with him," Moore reported yesterday.

The cross-channel raider Tiutchev, bidding to give Martin Pipe a first winner in Ireland in 11 years, is regarded by the bookies as the other main danger to Beef Or Salmon and he, too, is at his best over two and a half miles.

However, if Michael Hourigan was worried yesterday it wasn't obvious and he reports Beef Or Salmon much sharper after his first run of the season behind Edredon Bleu at Clonmel.

"I've no doubt it brought him on and he couldn't be better. It will be tough. Native Upmanship is at his best trip and is on his ground. But my horse goes on most conditions and he is very well," he said.

Arctic Copper finished just ahead of Beef Or Salmon at Clonmel while the JP McManus team is headed by the soft ground-loving Le Coudray though experience says this race is usually all about Native Upmanship.

It could be a good day all round for Moore, who gives Rheindross a first start since May in the second handicap chase.

Hourigan can also figure in the first handicap with Smart Design, who can complete a hat-trick despite being 21lb higher in the ratings than when the streak started.

Today's Punchestown fixture features the mares' novice chase where Rose Perk brings a 114 rating on the back of a Gowran success. The trip should suit her more than Christy Roche's Clonmel winner You Little Daisy.

Roche runs Winner Take All in the bumper but preference here is for Afistfullofdollars.

At Clonmel tomorrow, Francys Fancy can complete a hat-trick, being just 6lb higher for an 11-length victory at Thurles on Thursday.