CHARLIE SWAN, who landed a double at Punchestown yesterday, looks the jockey to follow at Down Royal this afternoon. The champion national hunt rider should be on the mark with Beat The Second in the Down Royal Handicap Chase and Dawn Alert in the Capita Management Consultants Novice Chase.

Beat The Second would certainly have the winning of the handicap chase on his four-length beating of Irish Light in a similar event over three miles at Naas last November, while Dawn Alert, runner-up to The Subbie at Punchestown in October, looks the class act in the novice chase.

Noel Meade, trainer of Dawn Alert, should also land the EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle with the Roselier mare, Stagalier. The five-year-old made a favourable impression on his racecourse debut when beaten a length and a half by Sorcerer's Drum in a Navan maiden hurdle. And the trainer can complete a profitable journey up north by landing the bumper with the newcomer Cara Gail.

A winner of a handicap hurdle over course and distance in May, The Third Man may be worth supporting in the Thoroughbred Insurances Handicap Hurdle, while Noble Shoon can give jockey Kevin O'Brien a welcome success in the ironically named Bet With The Tote Maiden Hurdle. The six-year-old was a drifter in the market when a well-beaten fifth of 28 behind Fishin Joella at Punchestown recently but looks a better option than Montana King, who was a disappointing favourite when fifth behind Socerer's Drum at Navan.