Racing: The 2003 flat season winds up at Leopardstown tomorrow where Beef Or Salmon could provide the ideal transition dish towards the winter ahead.
Beef Or Salmon ran third in the race last year under a Frannie Norton ride that it's fair to say didn't have Hourigan exactly glowing with happiness. The apprentice Billy Lee is scheduled to be on board this time - if Beef Or Salmon runs.
The forecast ground for Leopardstown is "yielding" with showers expected. Whether that will be soft enough for Beef Or Salmon only Hourigan will decide.
"We are going to go there and I'll decide myself after I walk the track. This can be the most dangerous ground of all. The rain goes down a couple of inches and then it is like flint. It will have to be safe for me," the Co Limerick trainer said yesterday.
"The horse is fit enough and in very good form," he added, a report that will do for many who saw Beef Or Salmon's last start at the Curragh in April. He is only 2lbs higher for a success and given suitable conditions, the star chaser can show his flat rivals the way home.
Michael Kinane is already assured of a 13th jockeys' championship and Aidan O'Brien, with almost €2.5 million in prize money, and Dermot Weld, with 90 winners, have wrapped the various versions of the leading trainer title. But the situation in the owners' table could go right down to the wire.
Up to yesterday, Michael Tabor's prize money total of €1,127,597 was only just over €14,000 clear of the Aga Khan.
Both owners have tasted success at the highest level in Ireland this year with High Chaparral and Alamshar respectively but it's the Listed Eyrefield Stakes worth €32,500 to the winner that could settle things.
Tabor's colours aren't represented but the Aga has a real chance with Tarakala whose win at Navan, and the form with Marinnette, gives her at least an equal shout with the likely favourite Mikado.
This race has advertised the future classic claims of Yesterday last year and Vinnie Roe in 2000 but fillies have an excellent record and Tarakala can edge it.
The Knockaire Stakes is the other Listed race and it could be third time lucky for Tiger Royal.
Dermot Weld's horse is better known as a sprinter and a Curragh specialist having won five of his six victories there. However he has also managed to run third in the Knockaire in 2000, runner-up in 2001 and comes here now a fresh horse after just two starts this season. He looks a better bet to cope with the step up in trip rather than Livadiya who drops three furlongs from her win here on Monday.
