CHARLIE SWAN will be forever remembered with his association with the great Champion Hurdler Istabraq. But now the top jockey-turned-trainer is eyeing John Smith’s Grand National glory with his first runner in the world’s greatest steeplechase Offshore Account.

Swan never managed to win the Aintree marathon when he was in the saddle but did complete on nine occasions. He finished second to Esha Ness on Cahervillahow in the void race in 1993 and that was as close as he came to winning.

But he had many great highs in the saddle, especially when partnering the JP McManus-owned Istabraq to his hat-trick of Champion Hurdle successes at Cheltenham in.

Now, though, he is eyeing National glory with Offshore Account.

It would be, though, some feat as after almost a year and a half off the track with a leg injury, the nine-year-old – a general 33-1 chance with most bookmakers – has only run once this season when second in a handicap hurdle contest at Navan last month.

He had some high-class form before his injury over shorter trips. And Swan is happy with his charge, who has worked well in the build-up to the 4m4f marathon.

He said: “He was out for a year with a leg injury. He had a slight tendon injury then about a month or two ago a splint came up. That delayed us for a little bit and he ran three weeks ago and finished second in a hurdle race in Naas.

“Obviously I would have liked to have run him a chase but I didn’t get the chance. He’s schooling nicely at home over National-type fences and he is a good jumper. He’s jumped really well over the fences we’ve had built for him.

“He’s won on a Grade One on good ground at Punchestown. He’s a half-brother to The Listener, he’s in good order and I’m very happy with him.

“If he jumps well and gets a clear passage he'd definitely have a chance.”