Brave Inca back in full work and ‘coming along nicely’

BRAVE Inca is back in full work and showing no signs of the slight tendon problem that kept him off the track last season.

Although there is no firm date set for a return to action for the 2006 Champion Hurdle hero, the 10-year-old looks like making his comeback in a two-mile hurdle race.

“He’s coming along nicely and doing his canters every morning,” said trainer Colm Murphy.

“Touch wood we’ll have him out a bit earlier than normal, but there are no plans as such. Hopefully we’ll have him a little bit more forward than we usually have, hence the reason he’s back a month to six weeks earlier this time.

“He’s back in full work now and seems 100%.

“We’ll keep all options open. It’s not been discussed yet but I’d imagine we’d stay hurdling with him.

“We’ll probably start him off over two miles and see how we go with him. I’d be in no hurry to step him up in trip.”

Meanwhile Murphy reports Megans Joy to be “A1” again ahead of her return to action in the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary on Sunday.

The mare was ruled out of the Punchestown Festival following a disappointing prep run on the Flat at Dundalk in April.

“Things went a bit pear shaped before Punchestown. Nothing went right, so we gave her a break and she seems A1 now. She’s come back really well,” said the Co Wexford trainer.

Megans Joy, who won five races in a row last year before finishing in a Grade One contest at Fairyhouse on her last start over jumps, holds an entry in the Guinness Galway Hurdle on July 31.

“It’s an option and we’ll see how we get on Sunday. She’ll be better for the race, but hopefully she’ll be thereabouts,” Murphy added.

Paul Carberry is recovering at home after suffering concussion from a fall at Killarney on Tuesday evening.

The rider, who currently leads the jump-jockeys’ title race, took a tumble from the Tony Martin-trained She’s Supersonic at the first fence in the McElligott’s Landrover Handicap Chase.

He was taken to hospital in Tralee, where no other problems were found.

Carberry is, however, stood down for 21 days, which means he will miss the Galway Festival from July 28 to August 3.