Inca preferred in Champion clash

BRAVE INCA can take another giant step towards possible Cheltenham glory by landing the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown tomorrow.

Colm Murphy’s tough customer comes here in the form of his life and is fancied to beat Hardy Eustace, who is without the blinkers which he wore when winning the last two runnings of the Champion Hurdle at Prestbury Park.

Brave Inca warmed up for this test when sloshing his way through unsuitably testing ground to outstay Harchibald to the tune of three lengths at Leopardstown at Christmas.