Inca plans on hold

Colm Murphy is in no rush to make any future plans for Brave Inca following his disappointing display in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last week.

The 11-year-old, winner of the hurdling crown in 2006, set himself up for another crack at the race with a gutsy success in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in January.

However, he could only finish 18th of the 23 runners at Prestbury Park and Murphy is currently at a loss to explain that below-par display.

“He seems good. He was little bit quiet with himself after he arrived home which you would only expect,” said Murphy.

“We’re going to give him a little while to get over it and then we’ll see where we go next with him.

“We were very disappointed on the day and he doesn’t seem to be himself at the minute but we’ll see what materialises in the next couple of weeks before we make any decisions.”

Murphy also had news on Big Zeb, who took a crashing fall in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the showpiece meeting last week.

“Big Zeb is very sore as you would expect but he seems in one piece,” Murphy continued.

“He’s grand and I would say it is more than likely he will run at Punchestown next month.”