RACING: Last week's Cheltenham winner Brave Inca is set to be trained for a tilt at the Smurfit Champion Hurdle next season.

Trainer Colm Murphy indicated yesterday that a possible chasing career will be put on hold in favour of taking on the best hurdlers in next year's championship.

However, Brave Inca is not yet finished with this season as Murphy is preparing him for next month's Punchestown festival.

"He is in both the two mile novice (Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle) and the two and a half (Menolly Homes Novice Hurdle) and we will keep our options open because the ground will probably decide which one we run in," the Gorey trainer said.

In the longer term though, Brave Inca, who beat War Of Attrition in the Supreme Novices nine days ago, will probably be pitched against Hardy Eustace and Rooster Booster for the Champion Hurdle.

"It's looking that way. He looks a horse to do very well chasing but we will probably keep him another year over hurdles and the Champion would have to be in the back of our minds," Murphy said.

Paddy Power make Brave Inca a 16 to 1 shot for the 2005 Champion Hurdle, behind the 8 to 1 favourite Rooster Booster and Hardy Eustace on 10 to 1.

Conor O'Dwyer will try to complete the third leg of jump racing's triple crown on Le Coudray in Saturday week's Aintree Grand National. The 37-year-old rider won last week's Champion Hurdle on Hardy Eustace to add to his 1996 Gold Cup victory on Imperial Call and now he is after success in the world's most famous steeplechase.

"Unless the ground turns up very good it looks like he will have a good chance. He's an ideal type for the race. I know he has plenty of weight but he also has plenty of class," said O'Dwyer yesterday.

Christy Roche confirmed the Hennessy and Ericsson runner- up will take on the giant fences and the Curragh trainer will also be represented by the consistent Risk Accessor (Seamus Durack.)

"Le Coudray is on course for the National and it's encouraging we haven't seen really fast ground there for a few years," Roche said. "Jumping won't be a problem but he has been put up a few pounds for finishing second to Best Mate in the Ericsson."

Edward O'Grady confirmed yesterday that Takagi will be his representative in the National with Davy Russell on board.

A pre-National highlight will be the clash of Moscow Flyer and Native Upmanship in the Mumm Melling Chase. Conor O'Dwyer will be on Native Upmanship and he reported: "I schooled him this morning and he went really nicely. He looks set for the race."