Macs ends Brave Inca´s winning run Brave Inca, unbeaten in five outings last season including the Supreme Novices´ Hurdle at Cheltenham, tasted defeat on his reappearance in the Anglo Irish Bank Hurdle at Down Royal this afternoon.The Colm Murphy-trained gelding faced a stiff task conceding 10lb to 4-7 favourite Macs Joy but lost little in defeat. Barrack Buster set the pace in the five-runner event from a smooth travelling Macs Joy, with Brave Inca about six lengths adrift of the pair for much of the two miles distance.The trio closed up two hurdles from home but Macs Joy was always travelling strongly under Barry Geraghty and drew away for a comfortable length victory.The Jessica Harrington-trained winner, a progressive handicapper last season, was promptly cut by Coral to 14-1 from 20-1 for next year´s Smurfit Champion Hurdle. Brave Inca, whose trainer had warned that he would need the run, remains a 12-1 chance. Cashmans keep the winner and the second unchanged at 14-1 and 12-1 respectively.Earlier in the day, Weatherbys Champion Bumper winner Total Enjoyment made a successful debut over timber in the EBF Scarvagh House Stud Mares Novice Hurdle. The 8-11 favourite was prominent throughout under Ruby Walsh, drawing clear two from home and, despite landing awkwardly after the last, won cosily by three and a half lengths from Sanghasta.Cashmans last night reported a €2,000 bet at 14-1 on the mare for the Supreme Novices´ Hurdle at Cheltenham which prompted them to cut their price to 10-1, and that remains unchanged after today´s performance.
