RICHARD Hughes is still Hope-ful of a trip to Ireland.
Strict protocols have been brought in by the HRI that means anyone attending a fixture from abroad must isolate for 14 days prior.
It means a big headache for the top jockeys and any trainers who had ambitions of an Irish raid.
But Hughes has not been put off and still wishes to weigh up a run in the Irish Derby with Brentford Hope on June 27.
It means any staff travelling over with the horse would need to be in Ireland for June 13.
Hughes told Sun Racing: “It’s still up in the air a bit but we are still looking to go to Ireland I think, the 14 day isolation is what it is if needed.
“The fixture list came out over here and I’m not sure we’ll be looking to go to Epsom. The owner [Sean Mulryan] isn’t the biggest fan of the course, he’s a horseman.”
The three-year-old is as short as 20-1 for the Derby but with none of the trials to Hughes’ liking, punters should beware.
He explained: “We’re still not doing much with him at home up until the other day when the fixtures came out which I thought was a bit of a knee-jerk reaction.
“I think a few trainers like me thought that when we didn’t get going in May that the Classics would be put back.
“And then all of a sudden the Guineas are on the sixth of June. And that meant a lot of the Derby trials are in the first week and nothing stood out to target.”
There has also been plenty of debate about the allocation of guaranteed places in races for two-year-olds in the opening weeks.
The BHA revealed certain trainers would receive preference based on their previous records with juveniles, in the hope of getting the best horses at Royal Ascot.
Hughes received two slots but won’t be throwing all his eggs in the Ascot basket this season.
He said: “I’ve got two allocated spots for my two-year-olds so we were pleased enough with that.
“I should have those filled and hopefully we can get a couple of others in.
“Who knows if any of them will be good enough for Ascot anyway, I’m not sure it’ll be the be all and end all this season anyway.
“You can do plenty of damage running horses there so soon and this year round it’s even quicker. If they’re not good enough, there’s no harm waiting.”
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