Bob Olinger will not run in Friday’s Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.
Henry de Bromhead’s hugely impressive Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle winner was found to be coughing on the morning of the race.
Having claimed a clean sweep of the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Gold Cup at Cheltenham, De Bromhead has yet to fire at Punchestown – and Gold Cup hero Minella Indo was also a late absentee with a stone bruise.
Bob Olinger's withdrawal will come as a blow to Rachael Blackmore, who is eight wins behind Paul Townend in the race to be crowned champion jockey.
De Bromhead had earlier taken out Decimation, who only ran two days ago.
In their absence only four remain, with three trained by Willie Mullins.
Jessica Harrington’s saddles Ashdale Bob, who was a narrow Grade Two winner at Fairyhouse this month.
“He’s probably up against it, but he hasn’t gone to Cheltenham and he’s won two Grade Twos, so he’s entitled to take his chance,” she said.
“It was great to see him win at Fairyhouse.”
Mullins’ runners are headed by Gaillard Du Mesnil, who was second to Bob Olinger at Cheltenham, with Ganapathi and N’golo completing the field.
Mullins said on his website: “Gaillard Du Mesnil came out of the Cheltenham race well. Realistically our other two runners are running for place money.
“Ganapathi found the trip too sharp in the County Hurdle, but that experience will help him here.
“N’golo ran too free in the Albert Bartlett but a change of tactics here might enable him to get a good share of the prize money.”
Victory for Townend on Gaillard Du Mesnil could see him crowned champion jockey this evening.
The five-year-old is the Cork rider's sole mount on Friday, while Blackmore has six, the most notable of which is Honeysuckle in the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle.
