Racing News Like-A-Butterfly will be Charlie Swan's last ride in the Martell Cognac Aintree Hurdle today. The nine-times champion jump jockey announced yesterday he is bringing the curtain down on one of the greatest riding careers in the history of Irish racing.

After riding Patriot Games, a horse he also trains, to success in the last race, Swan (35) confirmed he is retiring to concentrate on his burgeoning training career.

"I have been thinking about it for a long time. Training and riding is hard and I want to concentrate on one.

"All year I have been thinking that I would like to get to Cheltenham and Liverpool and then see. But Like-A-Butterfly will be it. I want to go out on one of JP's horses," Swan said.

Patriot Games was a first Liverpool success for Swan as a trainer but his riding career threw up many winners, including Istabraq in the 1999 Aintree Hurdle.

Swan confirmed the triple champion hurdle winner as the best he has ridden and added: "To be associated with such a horse, an owner like JP (McManus) and a trainer like Aidan (O'Brien) was wonderful."

The popular Co Tipperary-based jockey was champion nine times at home and also enjoyed huge success in Britain, including 17 Cheltenham Festival wins.

They included Viking Flagship in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, Danoli, Istabraq and Urubande in the SunAlliance Hurdle and Montelado in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

As well as Like-A-Butterfly, Swan will also ride the Tony Mullins-trained Take Flite in the first race today.

"To go out with a winner would be fantastic," said Swan, who currently trains 45 horses at his stables near Cloughjordan.

McManus said: "He has been a master tactician and the most knowledgeable jockey I have ever spoken to.

"I think of all the great moments we had together - Istabraq's third champion has to be the best - but there are many wonderful memories.

"It's sad in a way he has decided to stop but equally it's good he is retiring while still at the top and he can go out in one piece."