EVEN IN his 2006 pomp, it always took Brave Inca at least a couple of races before hitting a peak and the gallant veteran can prove that theory correct again in tomorrow’s Toshiba Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.
That pomp included winning this race, when known as the AIG, three years ago, before going on to land the Champion Hurdle double at Cheltenham.
At 11 years of age it might be stretching even this remarkable horse to come up with a similar double now but circumstances look to have provided Brave Inca with a top opportunity to win a 10th Grade One only a couple of months since launching his comeback from injury.
A total of 10 runners line up for the €120,000 highlight including two other former Champion Hurdle winners, Sublimity and Hardy Eustace.
However, a combination of testing ground conditions and the fact that Brave Inca has two stable companions in the field to guarantee a strong pace makes their task look onerous.
Strictly on the book, Brave Inca has five lengths to make up on Sublimity from their Christmas clash here. But that was on much better ground and a slow early pace suited the 2007 champion much better.
It was also just Brave Inca’s second run back after an 18-month injury lay-off and the notoriously tough Colm Murphy-trained star is expected to improve significantly for it.
“The last day there was a lot of stuff about ‘bounce’ after a hard race at Fairyhouse but he is as right as I can get him now,” Murphy said.
Any drying of the conditions will suit the Sublimity team while Muirhead also doesn’t have much to find from that Christmas form. However, three years after first winning this race, Brave Inca can join Prominent King (1976-78) as the only horse ever to regain the Irish Champion Hurdle crown.
Just five line up for the Arkle in which the Christmas scorer Follow The Plan attempts a Grade One double. Beating Tatenen in a titanic finish was some achievement by Oliver McKiernan’s star on St Stephen’s Day but managing the same against Jayo could prove beyond him.
Willie Mullins produced the horse named after GAA star Jason Sherlock to win with real style from Made In Taipan at Naas and on that evidence two miles on very soft going looks ideal for him.
The greater the stamina test the more Weapon’s Amnesty will like it in the Grade Two novice hurdle and the Michael O’Leary-owned horse can defy a penalty for winning a Grade Three at Limerick over Christmas.
The form of his defeat of Browns Baily has been boosted since and as a three-mile winner already these conditions should be no problem.
Conem drops back in trip after finding three miles too much in the Paddy Power and can be a major presence in the handicap chase.
Tomorrow’s other card at Limerick is dependant on passing a 7.30am inspection with parts of the course waterlogged yesterday.
If it gets the green light then Quiscover Fontaine can make the most of missing out on the Leopardstown Grade Two by adding to a Christmas victory here in the novice hurdle.
