RACING: Brave Inca completed his preparations for next week's Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle with a workout at Leopardstown yesterday morning. The 2006 Champion Hurdle hero was an emotional winner of the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in January, his first success since returning from 19 months on the sidelines with injury.
The 11-year-old is as big as 33-1 to reclaim his crown next Tuesday and trainer Colm Murphy is hopeful he will give a good account of himself following a mile and-a-half spin at the Dublin venue.
"Brave Inca had a workout over a mile and a half and we were delighted with him. Please God, that should leave him fairly right for Cheltenham now," said Murphy.
"Ruby (Walsh) rode him and he seemed happy with him as well but we're still not sure who is going to ride him in the race.
"We'd love to have Ruby on but obviously we can't because of the circumstances, so we'll just have to wait until later in the week and see who is available.
"He's done all of his work now and we will just keep him ticking before he heads over on Sunday.
"At this stage we are just keeping fingers crossed that everything goes right between now and the race.
"We would like a bit of rain but I would like to think he is going over there with a realistic chance of picking up some prize-money."