Hurdle task for Cloone River

Racing:  Cloone River has his first race over hurdles for 15 months at Tipperary on Sunday.

Racing: Cloone River has his first race over hurdles for 15 months at Tipperary on Sunday.

The 11-year-old has not run over jumps since suffering muscular problems in front and behind when falling in the Galway Hurdle in July 2005 - a race he had won a year earlier.

He had been trained by Paul Nolan but was switched to Charlie Swan's stable in the summer.

And he has already been in action for his new trainer, finishing 10th of 20 in a 14-furlong Flat handicap at the Curragh last Sunday.

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Swan is now hoping for a good performance from his new recruit in the Grade Two Killerk Construction Tipperary Hurdle.

"He ran quite well at the Curragh and showed a bit of his old sparkle. I would have preferred another week, but he likes fast ground and we'll take our chance," said Swan.

"I've only had him about two and a half months. He seems over his problems and he's a very smart horse on his day. The ground will suit him and hopefully he'll run a big race."

A seven-strong field includes Noel Meade's Definate Spectacle and Hide The Evidence, trained by Jessica Harrington.

Swan also saddles Crooked Throw in the Coolmore Stud Home of Champions Concorde Stakes.

"He's been running well all year in all kinds of races. He was second in a Listed race at Tralee, but his best form is on softer ground. He'd probably like it a bit softer but he's in good form," added the trainer.

Crooked Throw is one of 11 runners in the Group Three event run over an extended seven furlongs.

Among the opposition is Michael Grassick's Hard Rock City, the Jim Bolger-trained Anna's Rock and Dermot Weld's Thoughtless Moment.