ONE hour before racing was due to start at Tipperary yesterday, the course was white with frost, but a thaw had set in and the executive was saved the embarrassment of having to call off a meeting which was given the go ahead after an early morning inspection.

Charlie Swan, who along with Michael Duffy walked part of the course before racing and declared it to be safe, rode three winners one of which, Step On Eyre could have a big future. This classy looking six year old, who has twice scored in bumpers over the course, won the second division of the Barronstown Maiden Hurdle in style.

"He wants a trip and fences, but I'll stick to hurdles this year, with Cheltenham's Sun Alliance as his long term objective. He may run in the £25,000 Royal Bond Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday week" said trainer Willie Mullins whose charge, Ancient Historian initiated a stable double in the first leg.

Swan replaced the injured Tom Treacy, who forfeited another winning ride on pillar to post winner Rathgibbon in the Tipperary Handicap Hurdle. Treacy who suffered severe lacerations to his right instep after his mount had collided with the plastic running rail in a race at Fairyhouse on Wednesday, is due to leave Navan Hospital today, but it is not yet known when he will be allowed to resume riding.

Michael Murphy, who broke a bone in his instep when the shattered rail caught him in the same race, was on crutches at Tipperary yesterday. He will be out of action for about six weeks. Rathgibbon was ridden by Gareth Cotter, who lost his 5lb claim.

Swan kicked off with a winner in the opener, riding the Aidan O'Brien trained newcomer, Glorious Gale. The six year old Strong Gale mare jumped well, though apparently not enamoured of the softening ground. Raced three times between the flags, she is owned by John Leahy, a veteran point to point rider with 29 wins to his credit.

King Of Kerry had the Kevin McManus Novice Hurdle in safe keeping after taking care of Three Scholars on rising to the second last flight and thus completing Swan's treble and a double for Aidan O'Brien.

The seven times champion renews acquaintance with Lo Strogone in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury a week tomorrow. Swan rode the Tom Tate trained chaser to win the Greenalls Grand National Trial at Haydock last season, and the horse was a prime fancy for the Grand National, only to succumb to a virus.

Flamingo Flower, who beat the Swan partnered Mondeo Rose by a neck in the second division of the mares' maiden hurdle, was the 21 first winner for trainer Peter Casey's amateur rider son, Peter.

Seven pound claimer Pat Morris, who was unseated after Rocher Lady had made a mistake when in contention at the second last, won the following race on stable companion Ancient Historian, who readily defeated Random Ring after making all the running.

"I've been campaigning him over the wrong trip. Bringing him back to two miles was a great help," said Willie Mullins, who may run Paddy Mernagh's big gelding over fences in the new year.