Considerable significance has to be read into at least one riding engagement at Thurles this afternoon, namely that of Charlie Swan for David Wachman's Theres No Doubt in the Cashel Maiden Hurdle.

This is one of those maiden hurdles in which bumpers winners are not asked to give weight to maidens and that is a plus, for he won last Wednesday's Clonmel bumper.

However, one would have expected his trainer to have waited for a suitable handicap in which to capitalise on the horse's current rating of 64, the sort of mark off which any maiden hurdle winner should be a snip.

The fact that Wachman has adopted this plan of campaign bespeaks much confidence. Last year's winning trainer, Edward O'Grady, provides the danger in Treaty Rebel.

Looking back at last year's results the handicap chase winner was Call Me Dara, whose paddypower.com was a dream result for the sponsors as the longest-priced winner of the Christmas period. Michael Hourigan would be just overjoyed if Joyful River (1.15) should follow in his footsteps.

Hill Port (1.45) is napped to give a boost to the Triumph Hurdle chances of his stylish Leopardstown conqueror, Pittsburgh Phil, in the Heineken sponsorship that remembers Edward O'Grady's father Willie, who trained two Irish Grand National winners, Hamstar and Icy Calm.

Michael Morris has a fine course record and Alcapone (12.45), who was running a surprisingly good race against Knife Edge when falling at Leopardstown could add to his scoreline.