Barry Geraghty To Partner Brave Inca In Maplewood Hurdle Barry Geraghty today landed the plumb ride on champion hurdler Brave Inca in the Maplewood Developments Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown this weekend. With Brave Inca's regular partner Tony McCoy unavailable due to commitments in Aintree there was a lot of speculation as to who would replace the champion jockey. Welcoming his champion's new partner Colm Murphy said ' It is great to have a top class jockey like Barry available and I am really looking forward to seeing him in action on Brave Inca on Sunday.' Barry Geraghty who rode Mac's Joy to victory over Brave Inca in the ACCBank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown in April said ' I am delighted to ride Brave Inca, I know how tough he is having come up against him in many great battles over the years, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to sit on him.' The ?100,000 Maplewood Developments Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown is the highlight of what promises to be a great weekend of racing. Brave Inca makes his eagerly awaited seasonal debut in this Grade One contest but faces no easy task with Asian Maze, Iktitaf and Newmill in opposition. Tom Mullins' Asian Maze has won four from four at Punchestown including The Whitewater Champion Stayers Hurdle last April. While VC Bet Champion Novice Hurdle winner Iktitaf will be a tough nut to crack having already proved his current well being with three victories in the last six weeks.. Newmill developed into the Champion Two Mile Chaser last season having won at Cheltenham he was very impressive in the Kerrygold Champion Chase and is another intriguing runner in what should be an exciting race. The main support race the Grade 2 Volkswagen Craddockstown Novice Chase has a tradition of throwing up future stars and should be another fascinating contest. Conna Castle, a leading novice hurdler last season is sure to be a leading contender while Edward O'Grady's Sky's The Limit, an impressive winner of the Coral Cup at Cheltenham last March, is likely to improve considerably on his chasing over this course over two weeks ago. Jessica Harrington's Gemini Lucy, already a four time winner over fences, and stable companion Callow Lake, are two others worthy of respect. The going at Punchestown is currently heavy with the forecast for cold dry weather over the weekend and some passing showers. The first race on Saturday is 12.15 pm and 12.45 pm on Sunday
