Champion rider Charlie Swan, who celebrated his 30th birthday on Tuesday, brought his season's tally to 65 at Down Royal yesterday, courtesy of a treble via Zaffaran Run, Eurothatch and Don't Waste It.
Zaffaran Run, an unlucky loser at Limerick over Christmas when she unseated Paul Hourigan at the last, battled on after another mistake at the last to shrug off Riposte and Neil Mulholland in the EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle. Swan remarked afterwards: "I rode my first horse over fences trained by Michael Hourigan at Limerick in 1985, and I don't think I've ridden for him since until today."
He combined again with the Patrickswell handler to complete his treble in the penultimate East Down Trainers Association Novice Chase aboard Don't Waste It, who jumped well throughout to score eased down from Mr Magget.
Michael Hourigan Jnr, representing his father, said: "Charlie said she might be suited by the Tattersalls Mares Novice Chase at Uttoxeter in March, but we'll wait and see before we decide where we'll go with her."
The middle leg of Swan's three-timer came compliments of Eurothatch after the 10-year-old grey collared front-running Miller King after the second last to come home nine lengths clear in the featured Horse and Field Ireland Handicap Chase.
Winning trainer George Stewart nominated the Ulster National at Downpatrick on March 4th as the likely target for his charge.
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