The unique eccentricities of Epsom, summer jumping fun at the Perth Festival and the top-class chasing feature at Punchestown amply illustrate the glorious variety of racing here and in Ireland.

All three will be full of exciting fare this afternoon, with the Guinness Gold Cup across the Irish Sea, worth close to £170,000, topping the bill.

Although the superstar of the chasing game, Kauto Star and his nearest pursuer, Exotic Dancer, have been retired for the season, there is plenty of quality in the 13-strong field.

The highest rated is Beef Or Salmon, although that can be misleading as the British challengers do not have ratings in Ireland. Even so, while Beef Or Salmon has been a consistent loser when he departs the shores of Eire, he has been highly successful on his own patch.

Why he can never seem to produce his form away from home is just about inexplicable, and for that reason his disappointing 13th in the Cheltenham Gold Cup is best ignored.

The 11-year-old has won three times in Ireland this term and was second to the 2006 Gold Cup winner, War Of Attrition, in this race last year. He is sure to go well today and it would be no big surprise to see him prove once again that he is an exceptional, if frustrating, chaser.

In Compliance is the latest heir apparent to Beef Or Salmon, and this is his big chance to prove it. He has never tackled a trip as far as this three miles and a furlong but is confidently expected to last it out.

Kingscliff, Monkerhostin, Neptunes Collonges and Racing Demon are the British raiders, and it may be the last named who comes out best.

Racing Demon (4.05) wasted his chances in the the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham by jumping to the right, but still finished a close fifth. He ought to be better-suited by this left-handed course and, on King George VI Chase form, when third to Kauto Star and Exotic Dancer, would be a major contender.

Two chases on the opening day of the Perth Festival should prove competitive affairs, with some decent young performers involved in the SBJ Steavenson Novices event. Among them is Royal Rosa, of whom trainer Howard Johnson has always held a high opinion of. His facile win over L'Antartique at Wetherby in December has been his only success this season, but he could well add to that this afternoon.

Peter Monteith could make this a Scottish success with First Look, who looked a smart novice when winning at Ayr, while Lankawi, winner of three of his last four races, will be well-fancied, too.

For me, Patman Du Charmil (3.40), whose trainer, Nigel Twiston Davies, often does well at this track, could be good enough to beat them all.

Although clearly unimpressed by the Aintree fences when pulled up in the Topham Chase, he will be much more at home on the Perth circuit and could go close.

If anything, the feature handicap chase is even more competitive. Silver Sedge, Green Ideal and Baodai are just three with major chances, but this time Monteith could be the one leading in the winner with Lutea (4.50).

A winner of two hurdle races but before that a beginners chase at Cartmel, Lutea is on the upgrade and can continue his progress with another success, while Russian Trigger (2.30) should go well in the opening maiden hurdle.

There could also be a Scottish victory at Epsom where Ian Semple's Kames Park (2.55) has a winning chance in the Great Metropolitan Handicap, while Dubai Twilight (2.20) and Blue Bajan (3.30) are others who could show up well.

Across the Irish Sea yesterday, Mansony (13-2) swooped late to take the glory in the feature Kerrygold Champion Chase.

The Arthur Moore-trained eight-year-old was still some four lengths down approaching the final fence as the front- running pair of Newmill and Justified battled it out.

However, Davy Russell galvanised a fine run from Mansony, and the pair swept past to score by one-and-a-quarter lengths from Justified, who was ridden by the champion jockey, Tony McCoy.

"He's always been a smashing horse and I've been looking forward to putting him in this company," said Moore. "I was a bit frightened he could have been done for speed early on, but Davy gave him a great ride.

"He would have preferred softer ground but he's now gone and won a Grade One and we will have to go down that route with him next year. He'll also be fine over two-and-a-half miles."

Selections
Perth 2.30 Russian Trigger, 3.40 Partman Du Charmil, 4.50 Lutea
Epsom 2.20 Dubai Twilight, 2.55 Kames Park, 3.30 Blue Bajan
Punchestown 4.05 Racing Demon