CHARLIE Swan sets the record straight - ''I won't be retiring at the end of the season but I intend to start training in the next couple of years. I might keep riding after I start training but I don't know if I could do both at the same time, though it would help if you weren't riding every yoke around the country.''

After Ireland's leading rider's Champion Hurdle victory on Istabraq, speculation was rife that he would step down from the saddle to take over from his father, Donald.

Swan and Tina, his wife of eight years, live on his father's land near Nenagh, north Tipperary. The set-up comprises 200 acres, a grass and an all-weather gallop, and an equestrian centre run by the family.

''I would take over from dad and he has said he will step down any time I want. Rather than sticking to a plan, I think I'll know when the time is right.''

Swan admits that it is the dream of a repeat victory on Istabraq for the other two members of Ireland's triumvirate - owner J P McManus and trainer Aidan O'Brien - as much as anything that ensures he continues for the time being.

''I'm enjoying it but I may cut down on what I ride. I might not take the chances - you don't want to be getting broken up and miss out on horses like Istabraq. Perhaps I won't be riding as many novice chasers that have no chance, so that I can give 100% to the horses I do ride.''

Due to the suspensions of Chris Maude and Tony McCoy, Swan has picked up the spare ride in today's Scottish Grand National, the possible favourite, Dom Samourai, for Martin Pipe. It is testament to Swan's nature that he remains on good terms with Pipe, despite having turned down the job as stable jockey.

Swan selected the easier pace of life in Ireland to Pipe's fast track of winners. ''The offer just came at the wrong time. When Richard (Dunwoody) left the job I had only just moved into a new house. I had been champion a couple of times over here, everything was going well - I was riding for Edward O'Grady and had Danoli to ride. I didn't feel that I would gain that much, either financially or otherwise by coming to England where I would have to start again.

''I would have liked to have been champion in Britain, and riding for Martin would have enhanced my chances of that happening. Maybe in some senses I regret the decision, but in others I know it was the right choice.

''Maybe I'm not as hungry as I was - the Pipe job is really for a fellow starting out with that need - but Martin knew where I was coming from and accepted my decision.''

Despite having a trainer for a father, it was never presumed that Swan Jr would settle on the career path he chose. Sent to boarding school at seven, he had more interest in playing rugby and cricket than schoolwork.

Charlie helped his father out during the holidays, as well as pursuing the usual pony club activities, where he excelled at showjumping. Once he started pony racing he took a notion to become a jockey. He took out an apprentice's licence aged 15 to ride a two-year-old he had broken, and managed to get leave from school to ride in races.

After a year with his father, he moved to Kevin Prendergast, and shared a flat with champion Flat jockey Kieren Fallon.

Swan acknowledges that he has been lucky after a broken leg forced him to switch to riding jumpers. ''I was getting heavier during the four years I was at Kevin's before I broke my leg and turned to the jumpers. Kevin rang Dessie Hughes and I started the next week. After two months I was his first jockey.

''Then Dessie let me ride as first jockey to Mouse Morris; now I ride all of Aidan's horses.''

The relationship with O'Brien is particularly successful. ''Aidan is good to me, he rarely forces me to ride one of his and almost always lets me off one of his if I want to ride something else. He is dedicated and has his own techniques and an unusual way of training.''

While British-based Dunwoody, Norman Williamson, Jason Titley, and Paul Carberry make frequent forays to Ireland to ride ''on their days off,'' Swan reverses the situation today.

''Richard is one of the best riders around and owners are entitled to have the best. While it doesn't affect me, I wouldn't blame some of the lads trying to make a living if they resented the others coming over, especially as we race less in Ireland.

''However, life is hard and more competition is good for racing.''

It is not surprising that Swan is being booked to ride in the major races while still available. He rode what he saw as his best chance to date in the Grand National, Him Of Praise, and got as far as the fourth last. ''He refused and I went flying over the fence without him.''

Of his chance today, he would be entitled to believe that the grey owed him: ''He beat me in the Greenalls when I was on Him Of Praise, so I've seen his backside.''