Brave Inca earned his day in the spotlight with a gutsy display in the Grade 1 Emo Oil Champion Hurdle at Punchestown. Colm Murphy’s gelding showed terrific heart to repel the challenges of Harchibald and Macs Joy by a head and a length.
Tony McCoy took over on the gelding and rode a great race from the front, winding it up from half-way. Macs Joy was first to challenge early in the straight while Harchibald cruised through to join the pair at the last.
McCoy had enough in reserve, however, to get the better of the 4/6F close home. "I’m absolutely thrilled. It’s great after a long season to get a win under his belt. He has been knocking on the door and deserves a big one," said Murphy.
The winner will be schooled over fences and has that as an option next season.
Paul Carberry described Asian Maze as the best mare he has ridden after a stunning front-running performance in the Grade 1 Menolly Homes Champion Novice Hurdle. The Tom Mullins-trained mare had her rivals beaten three from home and Carberry could afford several leisurely glances over his shoulder in the straight before easing down for a five-length verdict over Kerryhead Windfarm.
“She’s unreal, the best mare I have ever sat on. She goes a nice gallop and keeps it up. She gallops them into the ground and jumps very quick,” said Carberry.
Pay It Forward landed a nice pot on his handicap debut when taking the €100,000 betfair.com Novice Handicap Chase for Jessica Harrington and Robert Power. The gelding hit the lead three from home and kept going well to record a two-length victory over Scottish National hero Joes Edge.
English raider Snoopy Loopy found more in the straight as he battled with long-time leader The Railway Man in the Opel Novice Hurdle. Well Tutored lived up to his name when handling the banks with aplomb under JD Moore in the Ladies Perpetual Cup while Ruby Walsh got the day off to a good start when Monterey Bay took the Flogas Ireland Handicap Chase.
