Charlie Swan could be doubly represented in Sunday's John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown with both the Powers Gold Cup winner One Cool Cookie and the 2004 AIG Champion Hurdle hero Foreman in the frame to run.
One Cool Cookie has already made an impact this season with a solo Grade Three success at Down Royal but Foreman is in line for a first start for his new trainer since leaving Thierry Doumen's Chantilly yard in France about four months ago.
"He only left France because the programme here looked to give him more opportunities. He's in great form and appears to have settled in well. Sometimes with these old horses, a change of scenery can work wonders - that's what I'm hoping for anyway," Swan said yesterday.
Foreman, a 10-time winner from 38 career starts, hasn't run since February when he was pulled up distressed behind Well Chief in the Game Spirit at Newbury. However, the JP McManus-owned star is one of 12 entries remaining in Sunday's Grade One highlight which also includes the 2005 winner Hi Cloy and the former Grand National hero Hedgehunter as well as the pair of Mansony and Schindlers Hunt, who both have the Saturday option of the Tingle Creek at Sandown.
Tony McCoy could travel from Britain to be reunited with Foreman, whose Irish form for Doumen also includes a second in the 2005 Irish Arkle.
"He has won on soft but I don't think he likes it very heavy. The other option for him is the Hilly Way at Cork the following week," Swan added. "If AP doesn't come over, I would imagine David (Casey) would have the choice."
Unfortunately for Foreman, conditions at Punchestown look sure to be testing with the going currently "soft to heavy" and up to 20mms of rain expected between now and Sunday.
"If all that fell on the Saturday we could be in trouble but it is not due to do that so I think we will be fine," said the Punchestown spokesman , Richie Galway.
"The forecast is mixed for the whole week with bits and pieces of rain every day, not in one big burst. We also have strong, drying winds forecast so we should be okay."
That will be good news for the Robert Alner team who plan to send the Lexus winner The Listener to Punchestown. A spokesman for Alner confirmed: "He is in great form and showing no ill-effects from his fall at Down Royal. He will love the ground and we're happy the two and a half miles will suit."
Michael Hourigan has declined the Durkan option with his 2003 winner Beef Or Salmon but Hi Cloy is on course for a return to Punchestown after an encouraging reappearance over hurdles at Liverpool.
"We couldn't get a run into him earlier because of the firm ground but it's coming right now. He ran very well at Aintree," the Co Limerick trainer reported.
Another trainer with a double Durkan entry is Noel Meade with Father Matt and Watson Lake while last year's winning handler, Michael O'Brien, has the option of running Forget The Past.
One top chaser who won't be seen at any stage this season is the 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition whose trainer Mouse Morris has ruled him out of a return to action this term. A tendon problem has been fixed with stem-cell surgery but Morris insisted yesterday he does not want to rush the horse back.
"He has had no setbacks and is in great fettle but he won't be running this year. He's in strong work but we've decided that time is running out," Morris said.
The former smart novice hurdler Perce Rock is set to make his chasing debut for Tommy Stack this weekend at either Punchestown or Navan's Saturday fixture.
"He has been schooling well and he looks a horse to look forward to over the winter," said Stack's son and assistant, Fozzy.
Perce Rock's best run over hurdles was runner-up to Silverburn in the Tolworth at Sandown last season but Stack added: "He jumps so well at home that we've decided to go straight over fences."
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