Murphy hoping for good Inca show

Colm Murphy is optimistic that the two-and-a-half-mile trip of tomorrow’s Scottish And Newcastle Aintree Hurdle will suit his stable star Brave Inca.

The seven-year-old is yet to get his head in front from five races outside novice company but he has performed with credit on each occasion, including when third in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle.

He was two heads behind Hardy Eustace and Harchibald that day at Cheltenham, and Murphy reports him to have pleased since.

“He seems in good form, and everything has gone really well since Cheltenham,” he said. “He travelled over last night, and everything seems fine.”

Brave Inca has done most of his racing over the minimum distance but won over the trip in handicap company last term.

Murphy is not worried either about this being his first visit to Liverpool.

“I think that he should go alright,” he added. “The track should not be a problem, and I think the extra half a mile will suit him – he’ll be doing his best work at the end.

“He deserves to be there, and we are hopeful that he will run well.”