Inca the bravest of the brave
Well, whoever scripted that piece of popular prose must have had Brave Inca in mind. His utterly courageous performance to win yesterday's Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham was enough to warm the cockles of even the coldest heart.
Colm Murphy's mighty warrior, assisted by the incredible spirit of Tony McCoy, dug deep and then deeper still to beat Macs Joy, who must now be sick of seeing the rear-end of this powerful eight-year-old
“He's as tough as nails and had to do it the hard way”, said a clearly emotional Murphy in the winner's enclosure.
“It is great to win after getting so close last year. It was nerveracking watching, but I was fairly happy from the top of the hill.
“I knew then it would take a good one to beat him. Tony was very strong, I'm sure the horse will lay down tonight. Tony has made all the difference.
“This is the best day of my life. To win the Supreme Novices here two years ago was something else, but this is extraordinary.”
The German raider Fiepes Shuffle carried them along at a ferocious pace and it was plenty quick enough for Brave Inca in the first half of the race.
Indeed, McCoy could be clearly seen constantly encouraging and cajoling Brave Inca to stay in touch.
But what makes a true champion is the ability to tackle adversity head-on, to face it down and, ultimately, kick it out of the way.
That's precisely what Brave Inca did. He gradually warmed to his task, as McCoy continued to urge him forward. And then, entering the final mile, you could see the new iron horse starting to hit top gear, as many around him screamed enough.
Brave Inca and dual champion Hardy Eustace were in the air together three out and going to the next, if anything, Hardy Eustace appeared to be moving marginally the better.
Once they got to the other side, however, McCoy threw everything at his partner and got a delightful response.
“I didn't want Conor (O'Dwyer on Hardy Eustace) getting his own way, that's why I took him on”, reported McCoy later.
Brave Inca was in front before the home turn and early in the straight Hardy Eustace had no more to offer. Suddenly, though, the canny Barry Geraghty produced Macs Joy with a smooth challenge.
But it was doomed to failure. Brave Inca only ever does enough in front and he powered up the hill to beat Macs Joy a length, the exact same margin he had to spare over him in the AIG at Leopardstown.
“We will take him home and see how he is, but more than likely he will come back next year to defend his crown”, said Murphy.
“He will be given entries in the next few weeks, but I would say won't go to Aintree, but will run at Punchestown.
“I'm delighted for the horse and everyone connected with him at home. They've all put so much into him, he is owned by a big syndicate and it's growing.
“As they crossed the line I just felt relief. It has been such a long year, this is the icing on the cake.
“I was afraid of the ground because he never seems to jump or gallop as well on it, but when it was ding-dong down the hill it would be a good one who would go by him.”
Said McCoy: “He's a brilliant horse with a lot of class. When I rode him at the Punchestown Festival last year I told Colm he would be a hard horse to beat in the Champion Hurdle. He has really progressed.
“When I left Leopardstown (after the AIG) I was convinced he'd win this race. He is a horse who waits for others to come to him, he never goes away, but keeps pulling out more when you ask.”
I have never seen McCoy so animated after any race. He punched the air in delight when passing the winning post and was up out of the saddle and milking the applause all the way back to the number one berth, as Murphy was carried shoulder-high.
Barry Geraghty was loud in his praise of Brave Inca. “My horse has run a cracker, but Brave Inca is a machine.
“He was taking the mick and every time I looked like I might get to him he just went away again.”
Said Macs Joy's trainer, Jessica Harrington: “I am absolutely thrilled by that and it was a big improvement on last year.
“Barry produced him superbly and did well to sit and wait for so long. I thought briefly that we could maybe win going to the last, but Brave Inca was always going to be a difficult horse to pass.”
Dessie Hughes' Hardy Eustace finished an honourable third and it was lovely to see him clapped all the way back and he got a mighty cheer on his return. Said Hughes: “He's run another terrific race and while I don't want to take anything away from the winner, who was brilliant, you would have to say we might have finished closer with a better preparation.
“At least now he is fit for Punchestown. He could also possibly go to Aintree, after today we have to chase scraps.”
Said O'Dwyer: “Take nothing away from the winner, but my lad's run his heart out and I'm delighted. My lad gave everything. I think he just needed the run, but that's the way it goes.”
Al Eile ran a blinder for John Queally to see Ireland filling the first four places.
Hardly surprisingly Brave Inca is now favourite in most lists for next year's Champion Hurdle. Paddy Power offered 7-2, Boylesports 4-1 and Ladbrokes 5-1.
Astonishingly, however, Cashmans' odds compiler seemed to have had an aberration, putting 12-1 to his name.
Presumably, by the time we wake up this morning, that 12's will be just a distant memory!
