Swan looks comfortable pick with Cockney Lad

This is the last chance saloon for those unfortunates desperate to pick up some expenses before the Christmas racing rush, but possibly the most attention will centre on the Navan Hurdle, where the 1996 Gold Cup winner Imperial Call has his own festive pipe-opener.

Trainer Fergie Sutherland has elected to knock some of the ringrustiness off Imperial Call by returning him to the smaller obstacles, over which he was quite a decent operator a few seasons ago. Despite that, the eight-year-old, who has had a frustrating series of niggly injuries since his glory day at Cheltenham, will be using today as preparation for a likely clash with Dorans Pride in Leopards town's Ericsson Chase. Especially so, as the high class hurdlers Cockney Lad and Theatreworld are scheduled to oppose him.

As a reigning Irish Champion hurdler and a runner-up in the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle, this pair are possibly a match for all but the best; Imperial Call will do well to finish near them.

Charlie Swan takes the ride on Cockney Lad, which is hardly surprising considering that, the last time the two horses met, Cockney Lad put nine easy lengths between himself and Theatreworld over this course and distance. Again off level weights, there appears no reason why the positions should be reversed.

Imperial Call's rider, Conor O'Dwyer, is unlikely to leave the track empty-handed, however, and could go home doublehanded.

O'Dwyer is on Foyle Wanderer in the opening Reindeer Handicap Hurdle and conditions look to be in favour of the Dessie McDonogh-trained mare.

Foyle Wanderer took her time getting her head in front in a bumper over this track last month in the same sort of energy-sapping, heavy ground she will encounter today.

Fifth to We Three in another bumper at Fairyhouse since then, Foyle Wanderer nevertheless looks worth taking a chance with, as she has hurdling experience from last season, will act on the ground and, with O'Dwyer in the plate, looks reasonably well handicapped considering that much of the opposition can on the book be dismissed.

Exceptions to that look to be Sigma Comms, Sir John and Iftatah, but Foyle Wanderer and O'Dwyer are preferred.

The rider who is second to Charlie Swan in the championship table can also be on the mark in the mares novice chase with Raheen River, trained by O'Dwyer's great friend John Berry, who is clearly in good form judged by a good victory at Clonmel last time.

The main danger looks likely to come from Greenflag Princess, but this highly-regarded animal has had a tough time running against quality opposition and Raheen River can keep that winning feeling.

Anyone who saw the ease and the cheek with which Native Es- tates beat Dudley Do Right and Oonagh's Star at Fairyhouse earlier in the month will be loath to oppose him in the INH Novice Hurdle, although an interesting runner here is Gan Saru, a highclass handicapper on the flat and, if taking to hurdles, sure to be an effective operator in the winter game. Native Estates' trainer, Noel Meade, also looks to have prospects of a double with Walt in the bumper, but a horse who could oblige at a decent price is Brian's Delight in the Santa Claus Handicap Chase.

This mare fell early on in the Conyngham Cup, but if jumping even just adequately, will be a force to reckon with over this three miles on heavy going.