Swan sends duo to Newcastle

Charlie Swan will be represented by both Teeming Rain and What A Native as he goes in search of a second Eider Chase success …

Charlie Swan will be represented by both Teeming Rain and What A Native as he goes in search of a second Eider Chase success at Newcastle on Saturday.

The Co Tipperary trainer confirmed both horses as intended runners in the £70,000 four-mile marathon, a race he landed with This Is Serious in 2002.

David Casey will team up with Teeming Rain, winner of the Grand National Trial on his last start at Punchestown, while Tony Dobbin will get a leg up on What A Native.

Casey was in confident mood yesterday and said: "I think the experience of the Paddy Power Chase at Christmas did Teeming Rain the world of good. It made a man of him and he put up a good performance last time.

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"He probably has to step up to win an Eider but hopefully he is going the right way."

Racing at Clonmel today depends on an 8.00am inspection and a Turf Club spokesman said yesterday: "The ground is heavy at the moment but things could change if the forecast is correct."

A Thursday at Clonmel was not what was expected for Mark The Man in the early stages of his career but Noel Meade's horse still looks an interesting runner in the conditions chase.

Regarded as a potential top-notcher as a a young horse, Mark The Man has been plagued with problems and only returned to action after almost two years off when pulled up in the Thyestes last month. The run should have done Mark The Man good and Noel Meade's perseverance with him looks significant and he can reward him with victory in the Powerstown Chase.

Cobham, a course bumper winner, is hard to oppose in the opener while Moskova's hurdling debut at Limerick was encouraging enough to make her worth a look in the mares maiden hurdle.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column