RACING:At this stage of his remarkable career, it was hardly a shock that Brave Inca yet again upset the odds at Leopardstown yesterday but what was surprising was one of the toughest Champion Hurdlers in modern times almost managed to win easily!
Certainly by the slogging standards he has set over the last three years, this was almost a walk in the park for Brave Inca as he and new jockey Ruby Walsh carried off the bewleyshotels.com December Festival Hurdle in some style by a length and a quarter from 4 to 6 favourite Iktitaf.
During last year's prolific season, which culminated in Cheltenham glory, everyone got used to the sight of Tony McCoy almost throwing the kitchen sink at Brave Inca but McCoy's commitments in Newbury meant his great friend and rival stepped in for his first experience of the Colm Murphy-trained horse.
Even in conditions that left the chase course waterlogged, and reduced the card to five races, what was immediately clear in the early stages of the four-runner feature was how smoothly Brave Inca travelled for his new jockey. Alongside the 100 to 1 outsider Silent Oscar, the champion also put in a super round of jumping and by the time they turned into the straight, Walsh was only starting to get serious.
Behind him, Iktitaf moved smoothly into a challenging position but jockey Paul Carberry was on familiar ground having also cruised up on Harchibald in last year's December Hurdle only for Brave Inca to keep pulling out more.
It was no different this time and Walsh punched Brave Inca out for a ninth Grade One success that had Ireland's champion jockey beaming. "He's some horse, the real deal. I can understand now why he's so hard to get by because he's only dossing in front. He only just does enough but I got the impression there was loads left," Walsh said.
The victory completed a great Christmas period for the jockey who also landed the King George on the Gold Cup favourite Kauto Star.
Asked if he'd like to ride Brave Inca again he replied: "Who wouldn't? Tell me a jockey who wouldn't like to ride him. He's as tough as nails and he jumped brilliantly."
Murphy wouldn't be drawn on future riding plans, declaring: "Whoever is available will ride him. Tony knows the horse so well but he has commitments so who knows what will happen? If Tony can't ride, maybe Ruby will be free."
Not unreasonably, the Co Wexford trainer was more willing to concentrate on another top performance by his stable star and on the chances of repeating the Champion Hurdle heroics in March.
"Please Gold we will have a clear run before March and he will run in the AIG before it. If he gets there in one piece, I'll be happy. But it must be 10 to 1 about getting there," Murphy said.
Instead, the best price bookmakers were willing to offer about a repeat success was 9 to 2 as Brave Inca remains second favourite behind the English horse Detroit City.
"He's the horse on the way up while we've been there and done it and are now on the way back. It will probably come down to whose preparation is best," Murphy added.
Iktitaf was lengthened in the Champion betting to as high as 12 to 1 but his trainer Noel Meade said; "I knew we were in trouble early as the winner travelled so well for Ruby. But I look forward to taking him on at Cheltenham."
The depleted card, which started an hour late at 1.25, after the chases were abandoned at approximately 10.45am, also saw Grangeclare Lark land the Listed mares hurdle under Roger Loughran while Walsh also landed the opening race on Pedrobob for the Carrickmines owner, Barry Connell.
Arrive Sir Clive was another winning favourite and he did enough in the maiden hurdle to earn quotes of as low as 14 to 1 for the Ballymore Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham. However, the market leader in the concluding bumper, Gary Brady, was trounced by winner Ophorique.
