McCoy Looking Forward To Inca

Brave Inca will bid to strengthen his Smurfit Champion Hurdle claims at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

Colm Murphy´s stable star is due to run in the Ballymore Properties Hatton´s Grace Hurdle, a race in which he finished second 12 months ago.

Tony McCoy has ridden the seven-year-old on his last two starts, winning both times, and the champion jockey is looking forward to renewing his association with the gelding at the weekend.

'He´s going to run in the Hatton´s Grace over two and a half miles, the trip shouldn´t be a problem for him,' he told At The Races.

'Obviously Solerina has won the last two runnings of the race and she beat Brave Inca six lengths last year, so he´s got a bit to find with her.

'But I was fairly impressed with him on his first run back at Punchestown a fortnight ago and he should come on for the run.

'He´s tough but he´s got lots of class. He is right up there with the others as far as being a Champion Hurdle horse is concerned.'

Brave Inca finished third, beaten a neck and the same, to Hardy Eustace in last season´s Champion Hurdle and is a top-priced 7-1 shot with Ladbrokes for the Cheltenham Festival contest next March.

(C) PA Sport