Harrington looking to end Inca joy

Jessica Harrington is hoping Macs Joy can reverse Champion Hurdle form with Brave Inca at the Punchestown Festival.

Harrington’s seven-year-old went down by a length to Colm Murphy’s charge at Cheltenham and the pair are due to clash again in the ACCBank Champion Hurdle on April 28.

“He really is in good form and he loves it now that the sun has come out. It’s been a bit warmer here today and he’s very happy,” Mrs Harrington told At The Races.

“I’m delighted with him. I’m not taking him to Aintree this year and I’m keeping him and going straight to Punchestown.

“I’m hoping I might be lucky and get past Brave Inca, but he’s a very hard horse to pass.

“The plan is going to be to arrive as late as possible but we will have to see what happens. We need in luck in running and luck to get there – I am looking forward to it.”

Macs Joy beat Brave Inca three times last season but has gone down five times to his old rival in the last 12 months.