Murphy - Inca Will Stay

Colm Murphy anticipates a bold run from Brave Inca when he tackles three miles for the first time at Punchestown on Thursday ? but admits the calibre of opposition sets a stiff examination.

Murphy´s stable star will run in the Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa Champion Stayers´ Hurdle, in which he is set to lock horns with impressive Aintree winner Mighty Man.

'There´s no question about it, it´s a hell of a race. I think if it was at Leopardstown or at Cheltenham then we´d be running over two miles again,' Murphy said.

'It´s just a case of Punchestown being a sharp two miles and I think the three miles round there will be fine.

'We´re not afraid of any horse ? we´re more afraid of the track rather than anything else and we´ve just found over the years that things happen a bit quick for him at Punchestown.

'It´s a first for us, but I don´t think there is any question of him not getting it (the trip).'

Tony McCoy formed a strong partnership with Brave Inca over the last couple of years, but Ruby Walsh has taken the reins twice this season.

Walsh will again be on board, although Murphy stresses no permanent riding arrangements have been made for the future.

'Ruby Walsh will ride him. There´s no change as such, but Ruby won a Christmas Hurdle (December Festival Hurdle, Leopardstown) on him and he was second at Cheltenham and he is available,' he told At The Races.

'There was never any fall out and it´s great to have either of them on board ? we´re lucky to have them to ride.'

(C) PA Sport