RACING:Colm Murphy reports Brave Inca to be in flying form as he goes in search of his second victory in the Toshiba Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.
The 11-year-old returned from 18 months on the sidelines to finish second in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse back in November before taking third in the December Festival Hurdle over Christmas and Murphy believes he is working as well as ever.
Murphy said: "Touch wood he's very good so it's all systems go for the weekend. He does seem as good as ever and I suppose the weather is the major factor as the more rain we get the better for us as it will inconvenience one or two of the others and won't really affect us."
He added: "We'll see what happens on Sunday before making any definite plans as we will know a lot more then.
"You'd be disappointed if he couldn't be there or thereabouts if everything goes well."
Meanwhile Gowran Park clerk of the course Paddy Graffin is hopeful racing will still go ahead at the Kilkenny venue on Thursday.
Graffin gave an upbeat bulletin about conditions today and reported that water lying on the track yesterday had cleared and is hopeful racing at the Thyestes meeting will go ahead.
"Yesterday I was very worried as there was a lot of rain. I spoke to the foreman and he said there was a lot of water on the track but that has cleared today and all the water has disappeared," said Graffin.
"It's a lovely bright day and everything has drained away. It's perfectly raceable. It will be testing but the track is in magnificent shape as always.
"We'll keep our fingers crossed. The forecast is nothing wonderful but hopefully we'll get through it. At the moment we're okay and I'm very optimistic."