Sweet success for Silver Birch

Paul Carberry's mount had seven lengths to spare from the triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner while Pizarro was well back in third place.

It was Beef Or Salmon's first win in four attempts against Best Mate.

The soft ground won't have suited Best Mate but there was no doubting Beef Or Salmon's superiority on the day.

Carberry sent the 9-4 chance to the front approaching the second-last fence and he had too much speed for Best Mate.

Rule Supreme was staying on when he came down at the last leaving the triple Gold Cup winner to chase home Ireland's top staying chaser.

Best Mate, who was sent off the 9-10 favourite, suffered only his seventh defeat in 21 starts over jumps.

I expected Best Mate to be a bit closer going into the last Beef Or Salmon's jockey Paul Carberry

Henrietta Knight's star jumped well apart from slipping at the first fence but he was stalked all the way by Beef Or Salmon, who is now a general 6-1 chance for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Best Mate is a top-priced 7-2 with Coral to complete a four-timer in chasing's blue riband event.

Winning jockey Carberry, who only got the ride because of Timmy Murphy's unavailability, was surprised at the margin of his horse's win.

"He quicked a lot from the second last which was very impressive although I expected Best Mate to be a bit closer going into the last," said Carberry.

"Best Mate hit a couple of fences which wouldn't have helped his chances, particularly on this kind of ground."

Beef Or Salmon's trainer Michael Hourigan said: "We'll come back here for the Hennessy in February and if he's in good form we'll then go to Cheltenham.

"He handled the soft ground but is much better on good ground and he's run well on good ground at Cheltenham before."

I think he can beat Beef Or Salmon on better ground Best Mate's trainer Henrietta Knight

Despite Carberry's superb ride, Timmy Murphy is likely to be aboard Beef Or Salmon again at Cheltenham.

"If Timmy's available, he'll ride him. If not, hopefully Paul might be available."

Connections of Best Mate blamed the testing ground, which was officially described as soft, for the horse's defeat.

Trainer Henrietta Knight said: "Jim (Culloty) said he ran well but he hated the ground and we knew he would.

"We can't keep ducking and diving and I didn't even consider pulling him out.

"We'll pack up now and head back to Cheltenham and I think he can beat Beef Or Salmon on better ground."

Culloty added: "He ran very well but it's the age old thing - he wants good ground."