Swan for a flying start

Charlie Swan faces a crosscountry dash this afternoon

Charlie Swan faces a crosscountry dash this afternoon. For after he ridden Cloone Bridge in the opener at Galway and King Of Kerry in the next, the champion jockey will board a helicopter and hopes to be at Leopardstown half an hour before the 3.45 race, in which he is booked for Just Little.

Swan's determination only emphasises his regard for the smart bumper performer, Cloone Bridge, who makes his hurdling debut against the sort of opposition that should provide an ideal introduction.

Cloone Bridge was close the top of the bumper tree last season, a point he proved with a fine second to Arctic Camper at the Punchestown festival, and he should be forward enough to dismiss these.

King Of Kerry, though, faces a much stiffer task in the Bank Of Ireland Handicap Hurdle, especially against Afarka, who absolutely trotted up at Naas last time over three miles.

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The most valuable race on the card is the Bank Of Ireland Handicap Chase and after his fine effort when second to Dorans Pride in the Kerry National, it is very difficult to oppose Lord Singapore.

Another smart bumper performer making her jumping debut is Cailin Supreme, who goes in the Boys Hope Maiden Hurdle. If her jumping is up to scratch, then she will be very hard to beat but it may worth opposing her first time out with Edward O'Grady's Impulsive Dream, who is held by Cailin Supreme on bumper form but who should be a different proposition over flights.

Willie Mullins's Yelapa Prince looks to have Native Status to beat in the Beginners Chase.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column