Walsh confirmed as Brave Inca’s pilot in Champion Hurdle defence bid
Walsh had been set to partner Desert Quest for Paul Nicholls in the two-mile showpiece but the Ditcheat maestro has instead opted to aim for back-to-back Vincent O’Brien County Hurdles with his charge.
And with Brave Inca’s regular partner Tony McCoy riding Straw Bear for retained owner JP McManus, the way was paved for Walsh to take over at the Cheltenham Festival.
“It’s great to have him on board, especially after he was on him over Christmas at Leopardstown,” explained Murphy.
“There were a lot of people in the firing line but I think it was always a case of getting either Tony or Ruby and it’s great to have one of them on board.
“He worked yesterday up the grass and I was delighted with him. Ruby rode him and seemed happy enough and I was very happy with his work.”
While Murphy would prefer the rains to stop falling at Prestbury Park, he is not too concerned as the prospect of a soft-ground Festival continues to increase.
“Ideally we would like a nice bit of good ground but unfortunately I don’t think that’s going to happen,” he told At The Races.
“But he’s raced on heavy ground all year and I don’t think it’s going to inconvenience him too much.
“The calibre of the race is extraordinary and there’s not that much between a lot of them and I think a little bit of luck in running will be worth an awful lot.
“You have to respect Detroit City as he’s done absolutely nothing wrong and he’s a bit of an unknown.
“Then there’s Hardy Eustace who has won two Champion Hurdles and is an extraordinary horse and Macs Joy got within a length of us last year so it would be foolish to dismiss him as well.”
Meanwhile Celestial Wave will not travel across the Irish Sea to tackle the Ladbrokes World Hurdle after suffering a late setback.
Adrian Maguire’s improving mare had been quietly fancied to play a major role in the staying hurdlers’ championship after landing her last three starts in Graded company.
“She’s out of the World Hurdle as unfortunately she got cast in her box this morning and she’s just lame behind,” said Maguire.
“It’s a bit of a blow for sure as we just fancied her, but it could have been worse.”
At this early stage, Maguire is unsure how long the injury will take to heal.
However, the County Cork-based handler has not yet given up hope of his stable star landing a major prize this season.
“I honestly don’t know how long she will miss after this but we could possibly be looking to Punchestown with her – we’ll have to wait and see,” he added.
Ladbrokes World Hurdle
Coral bet: 5-2 Black Jack Ketchum, 3-1 Inglis Drever, 9-2 Mighty Man, 11-2 Blazing Bailey, 9-1 Kasbah Bliss, 12-1 Labelthou, 14-1 Flight Leader, Temoin, 16-1 Lough Derg, United, 20-1 Lord Sam, Millenium Royal, Overstrand, 33-1 bar.
