RACING: Michael Hourigan's wish for a mini-Gold Cup clash in Sunday's Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown doesn't look like being granted.
Henrietta Knight is waiting until tomorrow morning before making a final decision about Best Mate's Christmas target but the JP McManus camp have ruled out any further discussion by committing First Gold to Friday's King George VI Chase.
First Gold's trainer Francois Doumen walked the track at Kempton on Saturday and was happy with the state of the going. Concerns had been raised last week about possible quick ground there resulting in a late switch to the Ericsson.
"All being well, First Gold will run in the King George. The ground over there is good and after Francois walked the track he said he was happy with it," said Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, yesterday.
That bulletin will also increase the chances of Best Mate remaining at home to defend his King George rather than travelling to Leopardstown for a first start in Ireland since his point to point days.
After 5mms of overnight rain, the going at Kempton was officially described as "good" yesterday.
One man who won't be happy at the prospect of Best Mate staying in Britain is Beef Or Salmon's trainer Hourigan.
The Co Limerick-based trainer was in confident form over the weekend about his stable star's chances of repeating his Ericsson victory of last year and was not fearful of any overseas challenge.
"I hope they all come. I really do, because then we will all know a little more.
"If Best Mate and Keen Leader came we would all know more about where we stand. It would be like the Gold Cup because they're the horses to beat," he said.
Jonjo O'Neill, who committed Rhinestone Cowboy to the Bewleys Hotel Hurdle on the fourth day of Leopardstown, won't make a final call on Keen Leader's Ericsson participation until today or tomorrow.
However, Cashmans bookmakers believe Keen Leader will travel and make him the biggest danger to Beef Or Salmon in the Ericsson.
BETTING: (Cashmans): 5-4 Beef Or Salmon, 6-4 Keen Leader, 12 Harbour Pilot, 14 Le Coudray and Rince Ri, 20 Alexander Banquet, Colonel Braxton and Florida Pearl, 50 Bar.
The going at Leopardstown yesterday was "yielding to soft" after a dry night. A total of 6mms of rain fell on Saturday night but there isn't too much rain forecast.
"It's supposed to be milder from Monday with bits and pieces of rain but at the moment it looks like it won't be anything too serious. It's supposed to be mild up to St Stephen's Day and possibly beyond," said the Leopardstown racing manager Tom Burke.
