Christy Roche yesterday gave an "all systems go" signal about the Ladbroke Hurdle favourite, Afarad, and helped ease any worries about the horse's ability to act on soft ground.

"Some of his best form is on good ground and ideally I would like good ground at Leopardstown but he has also won on the soft at Leopardstown and Navan so he should be okay.

"Everything is fine with the horse and he is very well," said Roche who enjoyed a profitable Christmas at the Foxrock track.

Jockey arrangements have been finalised for most of the Ladbroke runners, with the exception of Quinze, and Pat Hughes is likely to have to make a morning decision about who will get the leg up on the horse. Fran Berry has already been booked for the Hughes-trained Mantles Prince in the weekend feature, but with Paul Carberry claimed by Noel Meade for Native Dara in the Ladbroke, Hughes has until the 12.30 jockey declaration time today to find a replacement rider for Quinze.

"I'm sitting back and being patient," Hughes said yesterday. "There are jockeys available and you never know there may be a surprise! Both Quinze and Mantles Prince did a spin today and are grand."

Conor O'Dwyer was yesterday handed the chance to bid for the third Ladbroke win of his career when booked for Derrymoyle.

He was confirmed for the ride by trainer Michael Cunningham, who reckons his gelding has a good each-way chance if the ground stays soft.

Derrymoyle, who will carry 10st 3lb, is having his fourth tilt at the race, having finished fourth in 1994, second in 1995 and third in 1996.

The 11-year-old was runner-up to Istabraq in a conditions race at Leopardstown over Christmas and Cunningham said: "Many people forget that Derrymoyle was carrying 12st that day.

"In addition Knife Edge hampered him when he sprawled at the last hurdle.

"We are 13lb better off with Knife Edge in the Ladbroke and 17lb better off with Golden Rule who was behind us at Leopardstown."