Paul Carberry produced a typically confident ride on Beef Or Salmon

With in-form Paul Carberry on board, Beef Or Salmon won pulling up with War Of Attrition four lengths back in second and Forget the Past in third.

The winner was near the back of the field for much of the race but moved into the lead before the last.

"He was brilliant today," said trainer Michael Hourigan afterwards.

Last year's Aintree Grand National winner Hedgehunter led for much of the race but dropped back to finish fourth.

Hourigan is now hoping that his stable star can put his Cheltenham hoodoo to rest in March.

Beef Or Salmon has been a leading fancy for the last three runnings of the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup but his record in the blue riband stands at fell, fourth and pulled up.

He is now 8-1 with the sponsors to take the chaser's crown after this impressive Grade One win.

Often the best in the race doesn't win the Gold Cup but he's got the potential to do so Beef Or Salmon's trainer Michael Hourigan

"That's the best he's jumped since before he ran at Cheltenham the first time," added Hourigan.

"He's an easy horse to train and has won more Grade Ones than most.

"Often the best in the race doesn't win the Gold Cup but he's got the potential to do so."

Odds-on favourite Solerina could only finish fourth as 7-1 shot Rosaker claimed victory in the Woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle.

The three-mile distance again seemed to prove too long for Solerina as she faded in the closing stages.

Rosaker, with Paul Carberry again on board, was only third at the last but Noel Meade's horse went clear on the run-in to beat long-time leader Emotional Moment.

With Solerina dropping back, Strangely Brown took third.

The result came as something of a surprise to Meade, who said: "I'm a bit flabbergasted as he hasn't done a lot of work but perhaps he is better fresh."

Lexus Chase
1. Beef Or Salmon (P Carberry) 9-10 Fav
2. War Of Attrition (C O'Dwyer) 11-4
3. Forget The Past (DN Russell) 11-2
4. Hedgehunter (R Walsh) 7-1
5 ran

Woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle
1. Rosaker (P Carberry) 7-1
2. Emotional Moment (BJ Geraghty) 11-4
3. Strangely Brown (R Walsh) 13-2
4. Solerina (GT Hutchinson) 4-5 Fav
5 ran