Adrian Murray's Valiant Force eyes a Group-race return at Dundalk after a triumphant comeback, with potential Middle East plans ahead; Hill Road's future races on hold.
Adrian Murray's Valiant Force is set for a Group race return at Dundalk following a recent victory at the track. This American-bred three-year-old, owned by Amo Racing, has an impressive record, having won the Norfolk Stakes as a two-year-old and narrowly missing out to Big Evs as the runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint last November.
After spending some time in the States, he returned to Murray's care in the spring, but his three sprint races over the summer were disappointing. Nevertheless, he made a successful comeback from a 55-day break in a conditions race at Ireland's only all-weather track earlier this month, defeating course specialist Harry's Bar. He is now set to compete in the Group Three Mercury Stakes on Friday, with a potential trip to the Middle East on the horizon.
"We were thrilled to have him back and see him winning," said Murray. "He will now aim for a Group Three race there, and we haven't ruled out a trip to Dubai with him yet. It all depends on his performance next time, but we were very pleased with him the last day."
Murray has a promising young horse named Hill Road, also owned by Amo Racing. Hill Road won his maiden race by an impressive margin of five lengths at Leopardstown in August. However, in his next race, the Group One National Stakes, he finished seventh out of eight and might be rested until next season.
Murray added: 'He wasn't feeling his best after his last race. We don't have any plans currently, he doesn't seem ready to run again, and we might just hold off until next year.'
