Inca the brave

IF ever a horse was aptly named it is surely Brave Inca.

Colm Murphy's mighty warrior dug deep at Leopardstown yesterday to repel Harchibald in the December Festival Hurdle, when it appeared that favourite was going to swamp him at the final flight.

Tony McCoy has struck up a fine partnership with the rising eight-year-old and there is little doubt he believes Brave Inca has all the qualities to land the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.