RIDERS' agent Peter Harris has denied speculation that his apprentice find Matthew Henry is to fill the currently vacant position of stable jockey to Mark Tompkins. He also issued a public apology on behalf of Richard Hughes, banned for six days - including for the whole of St Leger week - after riding a finish a circuit too early at Wolverhampton on Saturday night.

Hughes was banned from September 9th to 14th after his blunder aboard Mapengo for Aylesbury trainer John Cullinan in the seven furlong Trenching Systems Handicap.

At the time the embarrassed jockey took the suspension on the chin and Harris echoed: "Richard is very, very sorry for what happened. The horse was 25 to 1 so not many punters will be upset, but he is sorry for the connections who have had to lag the horse to the races.

"I suppose he, might appeal against the length of the sentence on the grounds of diminished responsibilities, or the fact that there wasn't a man ringing a bell on the final turn!"

Harris then went on to speak of Henry, one of the Britain's most promising young riding talents and on the 31 winner mark for the season, who has partnered Mark Tompkins's horses when not required by his boss, Lambourn trainer John Hills.

And that is how the situation will remain according to Harris, who refuted any suggestions of a more permanent arrangement.

"I am told these rumours every day, but it is absolute nonsense - a question of people putting two and two together and making five," said Harris. "There is about as much truth in it as there is in Richard Hughes becoming jockey for Hamdan Al Maktoum.

"There is nothing in it. Matthew is very happy riding for Mark, but John is his boss.

"When Matthew rides down at Newmarket, he stays with John's mother, and you can't say any more than that."