Walsh Enters Inca Equation

Paul Nicholls has given Ruby Walsh the possible option of partnering Brave Inca in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle ? but connections of the defending champion stressed riding arrangements have yet to be decided.

Walsh appeared set to ride Desert Quest in the two-mile Cheltenham Festival showpiece but handler Nicholls announced his charge will not line up on March 13.

The talented seven-year-old is instead likely to bid for back-to-back victories in the Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle, with the likely soft going forcing Nicholls' hand.

He said: 'I sent Ruby a text saying I wasn't going to run Desert Quest in the Champion Hurdle and that he was free to do what he wanted.

'There's no point running Desert Quest on soft ground in the Champion Hurdle but he will probably still go for the County Hurdle.'

Speculation continues to mount as to who will partner Colm Murphy's teak-tough stable star in the Champion Hurdle, with regular ally Tony McCoy set to be claimed by his retainer JP McManus, who owns Straw Bear.

Walsh already has first-hand experience of the Brave Inca, however, having partnered him to a length-and-a-quarter victory in the December Festival at Leopardstown on his penultimate start.

And while Murphy is adamant nothing has been finalised, the County Wexford handler revealed Walsh put the nine-year-old through his paces in some work on Monday morning.

'Ruby rode work on him but there's been no decision made yet,' he said.

'All went to plan, it was good and there was not a bother.'

(C) PA Sport