De Valira, in the news lately through his half-sister, Pretty Valira, who got off the mark in a Clonmel bumper, has his first run in 505 days when he makes his initial appearance in public for trainer, Jimmy Morrissey, in the Murphy Sand, Gravel and Decorative Stone Maiden at Bellewstown tomorrow evening.
Morrissey said on Friday morning: "I haven't him long and basically I'm hoping he'll get from a to b and have a career after tomorrow. He had a serious injury enough and it'll be basically a trial and error job to see if he is going to stand the rigors of training."
Formerly with Michael O'Brien, the now seven-year-old is a half-brother to Valiramix, a fatality in the 2002 Champion Hurdle when looking a winner. They are grandsons of Yorkshire Oaks heroine, Condessa.
Donal Mac A'Bhaird’s gelding has shown that breeding in his own performances and the chestnut has four wins from nine starts under his belt. A pair of Grade 2s have been among these successes, beating Catch Me a neck in the 2006 Paddypower.com Future Champions Novices' Hurdle at Leopardstown and at the Fairyhouse Festival the following spring he outpointed Cuan Na Grai by a neck in the Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa Novice Hurdle.
The son of Shantou has won on good to firm through to heavy and the silks of his owner, green and yellow quartered with red and white sleeves and cap reflect the fact that he is a Donegal man living in Cork. Indeed his Cul A Dun trained by John Murphy, has prospects in the opener at Wexford tonight under Joseph O’Brien.
Declan McDonogh will be aboard De Valira on Saturday and for his first taste of flat racing action he will face eleven rivals in an extended mile and a half contest. He must concede weight all round with the likes of Grangeclare Gold, Miss Khaya, Takasima (rated 83) and Vivacious Vivienne appearing to be the big rivals.
Of course the Morrisseys have been associated with many good horses in the past including Castlekellyleader, Cailin's Perk, Cailin Supreme and her son, Black Jack Ketchum. Lasse Viern won two races for the Gowran outfit in recent times.
