Esprit attracts support

Quel Esprit has been the subject of good support in recent days that has seen him leap to the head of the betting for the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Coral have reported interest in the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old, who was denied a run in the Grade 2 Slaney Hurdle after the meeting at Naas was called off yesterday.

Winner of both his starts over timber, Quel Esprit has been cut to 8-1 clear favourite from 10-1.

Another Irish-trained challenger to be nibbled at is Captain Cee Bee, whose Festival target is the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy.

Eddie Harty's charge, who carries the colours of leading owner J P McManus, is 6-1 second-favourite with the Barking firm behind 5-1 shot Sizing Europe.

Captain Cee Bee looked an unlucky loser when he came down at the final fence when challenging that horse in the Bord Na Mona With Nature Novice Chase at Leopardstown on St Stephens Day.

"The freezing temperatures may have played havoc with the racing programme but it hasn't deterred racing punters from steaming into a couple of Irish hot-pots for Cheltenham," said Coral spokesman Simon Clare.