JP will still be happy if Swan opens his account

13 April 2012

Charlie Swann is more likely to be remembered for riding the JP McManus-owned Istabraq to three successive Champion Hurdle victories than he is for winning 10 Irish jockeys' championships.

Now a successful trainer, the 41-year-old breaks new ground on Saturday when he saddles his first John Smith's Grand National runner.

McManus has come close on a number of occasions but it is 29 National runners without success and counting.

Though he has horses at Swan's Tipperary yard, Offshore Account will carry the colours of Downpatrick builder Brian Polly rather than the legendary gambler's famous green and orange silks at Aintree.

"To say the least, it would be a little ironic if I could win the National at the first attempt when JP has been trying to win it for years," laughed Swan.

"But if we do, he'd be the first to shake me by the hand."

Offshore Account, who won the Grade 1 Punchestown Gold Cup as a novice, has a fighting weight of 10st 13lb and will be ridden by David Casey. The nine-year-old, who is a half-brother to top-class chasers The Listener and Fork Lightning, recently returned from a 15-month lay-off with a tendon injury to finish a promising second over hurdles at Navan, with 2007 National winner Silver Birch down the field.

Currently a best-priced 40-1 with Coral, Swan reckons Offshore Account's prospects should not be overlooked.

Swan (left, winning a third Champion Hurdle on Istabraq) said: "He's got a great each-way chance if he gets into a rhythm and jumps the first few well.

"He's a fresh horse - a lot of them have been running all year. If the ground was heavy you'd be worried about fitness but he likes decent ground. The fact that he hasn't been running on it is not his fault.

"Staying was always going to be his game and he won over three miles at Punchestown. We've got plenty of schooling into him.

"We built some fences and put Leylandii on top of them and he jumped them really well. He wasn't in the least bit cowardly about it.

"He hadn't run for such a long time and he's fresh. You'd be a bit worried that he might jump too high at the first but hopefully he won't. He usually jumps his fences very well and that's his biggest asset."

Swan's own riding record in the National was creditable. In nine efforts he finished six times and was second in the void 1993 National on Cahervillahow. He was also fifth on Lastofthebrownies in 1990.

"Obviously you do miss riding on the big occasions," admitted Swan. "But it will be great to be involved. Hopefully my nerves will hold out!"

Particularly if Offshore Account comes up trumps and JP is heading in his direction.

MORE ABOUT

Horse Racing And Harness Racing

Horses

Swan

JP will still be happy if Swan opens his account

Read More