Reformed Murphy is due for a change of fortune

O'Neill, who knows more than most about riding winners at Cheltenham, described the ride as "brilliant and typical of what you expect from Timmy." And with one Festival winner in the bag, Murphy is now looking forward to the biggest challenge of all aboard Beef Or Salmon tomorrow.

"Everyone is saying that Best Mate is unbeatable and there's no doubt that he is a hell of a horse," he said.

"But I know from experience that strange things can happen in big races at the Festival. One mistake or a bit of bad luck in running can turn things around and we know that Beef Or Salmon is a very good horse when he is right."

Beef Or Salmon hasn't always been right since his fall in last year's Gold Cup, and trainer Michael Hourigan feels that the muscle trouble he has suffered this season could be a legacy of that tumble.

Something was clearly troubling him when he trailed home a remote third behind Best Mate in the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, but Hourigan is happy that the powerful chestnut is finally ready to produce his best again.

"The one thing I would never do with this horse is rush him and we missed the Irish Hennessy at Leopardstown last month in order to get him back to his best with the Gold Cup in mind," he said.

And Murphy's plan for his latest bid for Gold Cup glory?

"Just to get him jumping like we know he can," he added.

"If he does that, then he's capable of running a big race."