Inca in 'grand shape' for AIG test
Colm Murphy could not be happier with Brave Inca’s preparation for his defence of the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Punchestown tomorrow.
Since finishing third in the Morgiana, the reigning champion hurdler has won the Hatton’s Grace and December Festival Hurdle.
Brave Inca got the better of Macs Joy in a thrilling battle 12 months ago and as well as that old adversary, he will have to see off a clutch of other high-class performers.
Dual champion hurdler Hardy Eustace, Noel Meade’s Jazz Messenger and Iktitaf, Asian Maze, Grade One-winning novice Hide The Evidence and unbeaten filly Lounaos all go to post.
Murphy, however, is confident his stable star, who will be reunited with Tony McCoy, is better than ever.
“I’m delighted with him. He feels good and he seems in great order,” said Murphy.
“He’s come out of his last race in grand shape and I couldn’t be happier with him.
“I was delighted with the way he travelled and jumped last time and I think he is further forward this year than he has ever been.”
Although the statistics are against Lounaos – no four-year-old has won the race since 1991 – Eoin Griffin expects a good run from his filly, currently Betfred’s 8-1 favourite to win the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.
“We weighed up all the advantages and the disadvantages and the scales were tipped in favour of her taking her chance,” said Griffin.
“We’ve decided to take the bull by the horns and take the big boys on.”
Hardy Eustace ran a dismal race 12 months ago and trailed home a distant seventh.
He has been in much better form this season though as he defeated Mighty Man at Ascot and just failed to give Detroit City 4lb at Cheltenham last month.
“He’s in good form at the moment,” said his handler Dessie Hughes.
“I didn’t think it would be this hot though, everybody seems to be running now. It’ll be a hell of a race.
“I think he’s as good as ever, he ran a hell of a race at Ascot and won well and ran a good race at Cheltenham where I don’t think we made enough use of him.
“He’s in good nick now and they didn’t go fast enough for him last time, he wants a good gallop all the way.
“It’s not impossible for him to win (on Sunday) but we wouldn’t be that bothered if he didn’t as he’s been trained for the Champion Hurdle,” he told At The Races.
Noel Meade is also happy with the condition of his two runners and has booked Timmy Murphy to ride Iktitaf in the absence of Paul Carberry, injured in a hunting accident.
“We are hoping the ground won’t be heavy and if it stays dry from now until Sunday it should be okay,” he said.
“Iktitaf is in great shape and we can see no reason why we shouldn’t run him. It’s a good race though and it truly is the Irish Champion Hurdle.
“Timmy Murphy will ride him. He doesn’t take much knowing and Timmy is a top-class rider. He is one of my favourite jockeys to watch at the moment.
“Jazz Messenger has been in fine form too. They both worked the other morning and they worked very well. I’m very happy with both of them.
“It’s a fascinating race and while I’m not saying anything could win, the horse that beats Brave Inca will probably win, but there is not too much between the top six as I’m not too sure where the two novices will fit into it.”
