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Timmy Murphy's mount had more than three lengths to spare from Kicking King with long-time leader Cloudy Bays holding off Harbour Pilot for third.

Beef or Salmon took the lead approaching the last and stretched well clear on the run-in.

The winner was priced at Evens with Kicking King 3-1 and Cloudy Bays 12-1.

It was an impressive performance by Michael Hourigan's horse after a disappointing fifth place, while carrying a lot of weight, in the Munster National in September.

In winning the three-mile contest, Beef Or Salmon did his chances of landing next year's totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup no harm at all.

His price for the blue riband event was cut by a number of firms, with William Hill being most impressed, shortening him to 7-1 from 10-1.

Timmy said he is a different horse this year as he is much more laid-back Beef Or Salmon's trainer Michael Hourigan

Kicking King always looked to be the main danger as the pair overtook Cloudy Bays in the later stages and he put in a crediditable performance given that he is rated nearly a stone behind the winner.

Trainer Hourigan was delighted with Beef Or Salmon's performance.

"I'm not exactly sure where we will go next as he had an over-reach during the race and has cut the heel of his near-fore, but it is more than likely we will go to Leopardstown for the Lexus Chase on 28 December," said Hourigan.

"Timmy said he is a different horse this year as he is much more laid-back.

"We decided to ride him out wide today so we would have nothing in front of us."

Tom Taaffe added of Kicking King: "I'm thrilled with him. He's run a smasher. We will go the Lexus next and I've now no problem about him getting three miles."

James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase
Down Royal, 3m
1 Beef Or Salmon (T J Murphy) Evens Fav
2 Kicking King 3-1
3 Cloudy Bays 12-1
Eight ran. Dist: 3�l, 3l.

Pelouse leads his rivals in the Elite Hurdle

Perouse caused an upset when upstaging stablemate Rigamarole in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton.

Rigmarole, who has aspirations of winning the Champion Hurdle, was sent off the 6-5 favourite but never looked settled in the race.

Instead it was the lesser-fancied Perouse who set a searching gallop and did not falter, coming home seven lengths clear of Chief Yeoman.

The result meant a big-race double for trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Christian Williams, who had earlier teamed up to win the Badger Ales Trophy with Royal Auclair.

The seven-year-old, who was running for the first time since a breathing operation in the summer, held off a spirited challenge from Gunther McBride to land the spoils.

Comply Or Die was given a typically positive Tony McCoy ride to win the novices' chase earlier on the card.

The Martin Pipe-trained five-year-old, who is one of the leading contenders for the Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, led from the off and the champion jockey ensured he did not let up.

Distant Thunder seemed to be cruising in his slipstream but had nothing left in the tank when asked by jockey Andrew Thornton and McCoy's tactics paid off as Comply Or Die held on for victory.

Totescoop6 Elite Hurdle
Wincanton, 2m
1 Perouse (C Williams) 11-1
2 Chief Yeoman (S Thomas) 25-1
3 Howle Hill (R Thornton) 7-2
Eight ran. Dist: 7l, hd.

Badger Ales Trophy
Wincanton, 3m 1�f
1 Royal Auclair (C Williams) 7-2jf
2 Gunther McBride (M Fitzgerald) 7-2jf
3 Whitenzo (J Tizzard) 6-1
Eight ran. Dist: 2l, 2l.