Former Champion Hurdle winner Brave Inca appears none the worse after his first run in 18 months at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

Colm Murphy's old warrior, placed on two other occasions in the Cheltenham Festival race aside from his 2006 victory, was returning from injury but lit up the Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle with his promising performance.

Davy Russell was in the plate for the first time as Brave Inca battled away with Catch Me, only succumbing by a length and a half in the end.

The Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown is set to be the next port of call.

"He seems to have come out of the race fine," said Murphy.

"He has been down to the river this morning and we'll put him out in the field later on, so fingers crossed he's OK. I'd say it's more than likely he'll run at Christmas now."