Layers Split On Merit Of Inca Win

Bookmakers offered conflicting opinions to Brave Inca's determined success in the rescheduled Ballymore Properties Hatton's Grace Hurdle yesterday.

Although Colm Murphy's Champion Hurdle hero showed all his trademark battling qualities to land the Grade One contest at Fairyhouse, William Hill were left cold and eased him out to 7-1 to successfully defend his crown at Cheltenham next March.

Conversely, totesport cut the eight-year-old from 5-1 to 9-2 to win the blue riband for a second year on the spin.

Totesport spokesman Damian Walker said: 'Brave Inca hated every yard of that slog and we have cut his Champion Hurdle odds as he is back to winning form.'

Brave Inca remains VC Bet's 11-2 second-favourite for the champion crown, with Neal Wilkins commenting: 'All the Hatton's Grace proved was what we already know ? that Brave Inca and Tony McCoy make a formidable combination.

'AP was determined that all his urgings throughout the race would reap their just rewards.'

Showing characteristic steel, Brave Inca slogged through the mud to land the Hatton's Grace at the third time of asking.

Murphy's eight-year-old had to make do with minor honours behind Solerina in the last two renewals of this two-and-a-half-mile contest.

But despite running in conditions that were far from ideal, McCoy nudged and cajoled his mount to a three-quarters-of-a-length victory from Rosaker, with odds-on favourite Asian Maze a disappointing fourth.

Sent off at 100-30, McCoy niggled Brave Inca along from before the halfway stage as Noel Meade's Rosaker (10-1) took them along at a moderate gallop.

Asian Maze was travelling well enough in second, but soon downed tools once the pace quickened four from home.

Murphy's charge gained a narrow lead at the third-last and although Rosaker staged a late rally on the run-in, Paul Carberry's mount could not catch Brave Inca, whose appetite for a scrap proved decisive.

Brogella, the outsider of the quintet, finished third, while Al Eile ran no sort of race and came home last.

Murphy said: 'He has had a hard race. The ground was not ideal, but he stuck to his guns well.

'He'll know he's had that run. We are always a bit worried about giving him too hard a race at this time of year, but I am delighted with that.

'The Morgiana wasn't ideal as they went a true gallop and he got found out for fitness. He should come again from this.

'Tony said he wasn't doing a tap ? he never seems to travel on his own and small fields don't suit him.

'The next race will be the bewleyshotels.com December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas (December 29).

'If he gets back to Cheltenham in half as good form they will know they have had a race.'

(C) PA Sport