Murphy hopeful of Feathard festival recovery

Colm Murphy has issued an upbeat bulletin on Feathard Lady after X-rays on her injured leg came back clear.

The unbeaten six-year-old, who was last seen winning the Christmas Hurdle at Sandown by 12 lengths, has sprained her off-fore fetlock joint and will definitely miss the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 29.

However, the favourable X-Ray results have given Murphy a renewed belief his highly-rated mare could make the Cheltenham Festival, where she is a leading fancy for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle.

He said: “We are hoping it’s nothing too serious but it is quite tender and sore. Luckily enough the X-Rays and so forth are all clear.

“At this stage, it’s just giving her time and all the attention she requires.

“The next couple of days will tell us exactly where we are going – we are hopeful she won’t be out too long.

“We are so lucky in the fact that she doesn’t take (much) work.

“It’s just a case of giving her a bit of time to heal. We were just afraid of pushing on in the hurdle race (the AIG) and doing some real damage.”

In contrast, Murphy expressed his delight at Brave Inca’s well-being after his rousing defeat of Harchibald in the December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown last time out.

The eight-year-old is on course for the AIG later this month and also the Champion Hurdle at Prestbury Park in March, for which he is a general 4-1 chance.

“He’s in great form and came out of the Bewleys race extremely well,” Murphy told At The Races.

“It’s all systems go for the AIG and I couldn’t be happier with him.

“He’ll be going to Cheltenham in March, all being well. Hopefully we’ll get a clean run and get him right for the Champion Hurdle.”