Supreme Novices Racing News and previews: Brave Inca is now rated a "probable" to bypass the SunAlliance Hurdle in favour of Tuesday's Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham
The Deloitte winner's trainer Colm Murphy left Brave Inca in the longer race at yesterday's forfeit stage but indicated the two mile race is his favourite option.
"Bar something remarkable coming up it's probably going that way. It looks like there might even be a little ease in the ground at Cheltenham and I'm not worried about two miles as he has so much pace," he said.
"I've left him in the SunAlliance to keep our options open and see what else has been left in but on paper the two mile race possibly looks the weaker contest," Murphy added.
There were no surprises at the latest entry stage for the Queen Mother Champion Chase with reigning champion Moscow Flyer heading the contenders.
Jockey Barry Geraghty said: "He is my one for the week. He has been my banker for the last two years and has come up trumps. I hope he does it again.
"He only ever does enough. He would beat an average horse the same way he would beat a good one."
Trainer Jessica Harrington agreed: "He only does just enough. It's a case of that's the way he is. We just want him to turn up healthy on the day. He seems happy in himself."
Michael Hourigan said yesterday he will give his Tote Gold Cup hope Beef Or Salmon a final work out this morning.
"He's in good form and I hope to give him a spin on Saturday. It's a case now of keeping him in good shape until Thursday," he said.
There is no pre-festival calm for the Hourigan team tomorrow as they have runners at both Cork and Punchestown.
The Co Limerick trainer does provide an interesting contender for the first handicap hurdle at Punchestown where Horner Rocks looks to have a suitably light weight.
Successful over fences at Christmas, the eight-year-old has had one start since at Gowran but he does look a different horse with a light weight in a better class race.
The bet of the day, however, looks to be in the opener where Paul Carberry gets the chance to redeem himself on the Dermot Weld-trained Mesmeric.
The champion appeared to hit the front much too soon on the former smart flat horse at Leopardstown and was eventually run out of it by Point Barrow.
Patience is never usually a problem for Carberry and he looks a bet to get it right now.
Down at Cork, the softer the going the better it will be for The Premier Cat whose jumping ability alone will give him a chance to defy topweight in the Listed Chase.
Ulaan Baatar, runner up to the smart Sweet Kiln at Naas, look a bet in the second maiden hurdle.
Francis Flood will be represented at Cheltenham by GVA Ireland in Tuesday's Pretemps Final but can get on the score sheet before then with Be My Leader at Wexford today.
The mare goes in the second division of the bumper and on her length and a half second to the highly regarded New Field at Fairyhouse she must hold an excellent shout.
Toulon's Smile is an interesting opponent given that she represents the Gowran form of the Cheltenham bumper hope Knocknabooly but Be My Leader should be able to come out on top.
Kings Apple bids to boost the form of another Cheltenham hope Mr McAuley in the first division while Buoni Island should go close for Gorey based Colm Murphy in the second handicap hurdle.
