Gambled on De Valira ruled out of Champion
Supported from 25-1 to 14-1, reportedly on the back of some spectacular homework, he cut himself while schooling on the Curragh on Friday morning.
Trainer, Michael O’Brien, said yesterday: “He caught a hind leg on a hurdle and scraped himself at the front of his hock.
“It’s a fairly nasty scrape, so he won’t be running. If we had a few more days it would be fine, but we don’t have enough time.”
Ruby Walsh had been booked to partner De Valira and he now switches to Edward O’Grady’s Catch Me.
Commented Walsh: “This is so disappointing for the owners of De Valira and Mr O’Brien. I am, however, delighted to be riding Catch Me.
“He won well at Gowran Park last month and I know is a horse which Mr O’Grady holds in high regard.”
There are 17 left in the Champion Hurdle, after yesterday’s declaration stage, headed by market-leader Sizing Europe and last year’s winner, Sublimity.
Meanwhile, Walsh will begin his week with five rides, starting on Rippling Ring in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
He will also be aboard Noland (Arkle), Catch Me (Champion Hurdle), Ofarel d’Airy (William Hill Handicap Chase) and Pires (Fred Winter Hurdle).
He has also decided to ride Fiveforthree for Willie Mullins in Wednesday’s Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle.
