Hurdling aces set for Punchestown

Brave Inca, Macs Joy and Hardy Eustace fought out a thrilling finish at the Cheltenham Festival and form part of a nine-strong contingent for the ACC Bank Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.

Colm Murphy’s Brave Inca landed the two-mile event 12 months ago and after a terrific campaign, held off the late challenge of Macs Joy to plunder the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle.

Dual winner of that race Hardy Eustace finished third and is likely to reoppose after chasing home Asian Maze over two and a half miles at Aintree last weekend.

The latter is also engaged to prove herself over the minimum trip at the top level having employed her front-running tactics to land the Grade One Champion Novice Hurdle at the Festival last year.

Sky’s The Limit – third behind Asian Maze on Saturday – could reoppose while Essex, Final Act, Champion Chase winner Newmill and Al Eile complete the possible runners for the April 28 event, although the latter is doubtful having picked up an injury when sixth at Aintree.