Prince Of Fire gets nicely off the mark over fences

TRAINERS Charlie Swan and Tony Martin took the training honours at Limerick yesterday, Swan doubling-up for champion owner J P McManus with Prince Of Fire and Rourke’s Cross while Martin combined with Ruby Walsh to register a handicap hurdle double with Redera and Somatic.

Having run well in the valuable Ladbrokes-sponsored handicap hurdle at Killarney last Sunday, Prince Of Fire opened his account over fences when getting the better of Lough Ferrib in the Ryan Sheridan Concert Beginners Chase, in which the Ronan O’Gara-owned Your Busy proved a disappointing favourite.

“He’s often a bit keen and has been disappointing,” stated a relieved Swan. “But David (Casey) gave him a great ride — he got him settled and produced him at the last. It’s great he’s won, at last but I’ll have to talk to Frank (Berry) and J P to decide whether we’ll keep him on the go or give him a summer break.”