Pat Hughes' plans for The Ladbroke at Leopardstown on Saturday are under a cloud as both his intended runners in the featured Fairyhouse Handicap Hurdle yesterday were struck by a skin allergy.
Quinze failed to make the line-up at the Ratoath venue after breaking out in a rash on Sunday, leaving Mantles Prince to easily justify odds of 5/1 on against just two rivals under Fran Berry.
However the winner was later reported to be suffering from a similar skin disorder. 'The treatment takes 48 hours to clear the system and, if they are both okay, then Paul Carberry will ride Quinze and Fran Berry will again partner Mantles Prince in The Ladbroke,' said Hughes, who added: 'We know Quinze is allergic to rye grass and sycamore trees, and probably a thousand other things!'
Shane McCann was one of the early pace-setters in the jockeys championship this season but the talented claimer ended a long losing sequence when successful aboard Rose Of Inchiquin in the opening Hangover Maiden Hurdle. The Sean Treacy-trained mare forced the pace in this two and three quarter mile event, and rallied under pressure in the straight to repel Arctic Copper by three lengths.
The jackpot pool of #8,304 was not won - mainly as a result of the shock victory of Darmil in the Kilbride Beginners Chase - and will be carried forward to the next meeting here on January 16.
