Racing: Brave Inca faces tough challenge at Fairyhouse

These are critical days in establishing the balance of power among hurdlers, with neither of the most recent champions likely to start favourite for their races - Brave Inca at Fairyhouse today, and Hardy Eustace at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Brave Inca meets Asian Maze in the Ballymore Properties Hatton's Grace Hurdle, postponed due to infernal weather on Sunday. Colm Murphy, his trainer, is relieved that Tony McCoy remains free to take the mount on Brave Inca, who seemed rusty when third behind Iktitaf and Asian Maze on his reappearance.

"It's not ideal, going to the races on Sunday and not having a run," Murphy said yesterday. "But we rode him out when we got back to stop him getting wound up."

Hardy Eustace is 5-2 with the sponsor to confirm his apparent rejuvenation - he won on the bridle at Ascot last month - against Detroit City (4-9) and Arcalis (12-1) in the Boylesports Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

HYPERION'S TIPS FOR KEMPTON: 1.10 Secret Vision 1.40 Kilmeena Magic 2.10 Mid Valley 2.40 Danielle's Lad 3.10 Teyaar 3.40 Siraj 4.10 Gallas

Chris McGrath

Nap: Berengario

(Leicester 2.30)

NB: Noble Minstrel

(Wolverhampton 6.20)