RACING: He almost didn't run but when it was put up to Beef Or Salmon in yesterday's John Durkan Chase the Gold Cup second favourite delivered in style.

A downcast Timmy Murphy had returned after riding in the handicap chase an hour before and recommended to Michael Hourigan that Beef Or Salmon not be risked on the ground.

"I walked it and the going was atrocious on the inner. It's hard and rough. They cut it up on Saturday, it was put back but the runners today turned it up again. I told Timmy to stay at least three yards off the inside," a relieved Hourigan said afterwards.

Murphy went considerably wider than that. Hourigan even estimated his stable star went a furlong further than the others but it made no difference.

Ridden closer to the pace than usual, Beef Or Salmon was under pressure after the fourth last but still managed to overhaul Tiutchev before the last.

A mistake by the English raider at that fence settled the matter.

Hourigan mentioned Sunday's Hilly Way Chase at Cork as a possible stop as he tries to get more experience into Beef Or Salmon but the Ericsson is a more likely target.

That Leopardstown race, on the 28th, is also being mulled over by Henrietta Knight as a possible King George alternative for Best Mate and Hourigan bridled at any suggestion of ducking a pre-Gold Cup clash with the reigning champion.

"Why should I? If I was going to be stopped from running it would have happened today," he said.

"The horse proved today he can jump well when up there and now we want to get more experience into him. I think he'll be better at Christmas and come March I hope he'll be better again," Hourigan added.

A pre-festival raid on Cheltenham is likely in next month's Pillar Chase and then Beef Or Salmon will take in the Hennessy at Leopardstown.

"I didn't send him to Cheltenham before the festival last season so we might as well take him this time. At least it will give people nothing to talk about," Hourigan added.

Tony McCoy reported that Tiutchev had run "well enough" but significantly he added: "It rode like an average race."

The flop of the race was the previous dual winner Native Upmanship, who was beaten four out and only stayed on for fifth place in the closing stages.

"You would have to be a bit disappointed but if it was his second start of the season I would be really disappointed," said rider Conor O'Dwyer.

"Maybe it's because he's older but he really hated the ground, which was very dead and chopped up."

McCoy's day didn't improve in the maiden hurdle as his mount, the odds-on Dizzy's Dream, ran into one of the easiest winners seen in a long time.

The former high-class flat runner Sadlers Wings almost pulled Ruby Walsh's arms out of their sockets on the run to the last and eased away for a victory that prompted Cashmans to slap a 16 to 1 SunAlliance Hurdle quote on the newcomer.

"I suppose you would have to think about the SunAlliance after that. You certainly couldn't ask for more," agreed trainer Willie Mullins.

Paul Nolan supplied a second winner in two days for owner Val Ward as Joseph Vernet landed the handicap hurdle and the trainer notched up his own double with Kymandjen, who landed a substantial gamble in the handicap chase.

Some extensive schooling over fences worked for Kahuna, who made all to land the novice hurdle.

"He is electric over fences and the only time he will see hurdles this season is on the racecourse," said trainer Dusty Sheehy.