Inca digs deep for glory
It was a case of all the major layers immediately scrambling to shorten his price and there seems little doubt that whatever beats Colm Murphy's mighty gelding at the foot of the Cotswolds in March will find himself in the winner's enclosure.
Boylesports go 5-2, William Hill, Paddy Power and Cashmans 9-4 and Grahams have him at 7-4. What they all have in common is agreeing he is now entitled to be clear favourite. In contrast dual Champion Hurdler Hardy Eustace, who finished seventh of seven, has taken a big walk in the ante-post market.
The great Tony McCoy has been the making of Brave Inca. “He has made a huge difference”, admitted Murphy “They suit each other, they are two diehards. Brave Inca is not a horse you can bully, Tony knows when to push his buttons.”
The Wexford handler, of course, will face an anxious run-up the Cheltenham Festival, with the possibility of McCoy being claimed to partner the Jonjo O'Neill trained Lingo. He is owned by J P McManus, who retains McCoy, and currently also takes high order in the market for the Champion Hurdle.
“We haven't discussed jockeys, I am afraid to ask Tony if he will be able to ride”, said Murphy.
The French Furze gave Brave Inca a lead for some of the journey, but heading to the third last McCoy was taking no prisoners as Brave Inca began the long surge for home. Hardy Eustace tried to go with him, but was beaten well before the home turn.
Macs Joy, clearly returning to form, was soon out after Brave Inca and, indeed, appeared to be travelling far better than him.
But you just knew Brave Inca was going to relish a fight and he roared away from the final flight and was always holding Macs Joy, scoring by a comfortable length.
“Please God we will get him to Cheltenham”, said Murphy. “The going makes a big difference to this horse, the better the ground the better he is.
“I am thrilled to bits, he was very good today. He's had a hard race and we will be easy on him for a while. He's a stronger horse this year, physically he has matured.”
There seems little doubt that, given a choice, McCoy will be aboard Brave Inca at Cheltenham.
Said McCoy: “Brave Inca is a much fitter and harder horse then when I first rode him at the Punchestown Festival. I think he will take a lot of beating.
“I rode Lingo at work yesterday morning and he went well. Obviously he is owned by the boss and runs next in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton. I hope that goes well, but Brave Inca is the best around.
“I knew at Christmas (successful at Leopardstown) he would win today. He gets better and better every time I ride him.”
Barry Geraghty said of Macs Joy: “He ran a great race and is well on the way back.”
Dessie Hughes was perplexed by the effort of Hardy Eustace, who came into the contest in excellent shape. Said Hughes: “I just don't know, that wasn't him at all. He looked sound when he came back in, but appeared to be tight. He will have to be checked out.”
Conor O'Dwyer, who partnered Hardy Eustace, said: “I was never happy, he just ran flat. I gave him a slap and there was nothing there.” Hardy Eustace was found to be post-race normal.
