Timmy Murphy schooled Beef Or Salmon before racing at Limerick yesterday as Michael Hourigan's chaser continued his build-up to the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

"He worked this morning at Limerick racecourse before racing rather than afterwards because it suited Timmy Murphy as he would be rushing away after racing," said the trainer.

"He jumped five fences and I was very pleased with him. He will have another racecourse gallop but as yet I'm not sure where or when."

Hourigan has been faced with a race against time to get the eight-year-old in peak condition for the festival as the horse has had several setbacks since he finished third to dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Best Mate in the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Beef Or Salmon was found to have mucus in his lungs shortly after that race and then had a muscle problem which forced him to miss the Hennessy earlier this month. He was put through his paces on turf for the first time since his last start when working over two miles at Thurles last Thursday. Beef Or Salmon is 14 to 1 with Coral for chasing's blue riband in three weeks' time.

Hourigan is confident that the horse's muscle problems have gone. "I'm delighted with the way he jumped and there appeared to be no sign of his old muscle injury. All being well he is still on track for Cheltenham," he added.