Naas prep for Captain

Captain Cee Bee will have one more run before he tackles the Irish Independent Arkle Chase in March, but it will not be in the Irish equivalent at Leopardstown on January 24.

The 2008 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner, successful on his chasing bow after a 600-day absence at Naas early last month, fell when about to challenge Sizing Europe at the last in the 2m1f Bord Na Mona With Nature Grade 1 novice chase at Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day.

Trainer Eddie Harty told the Racing Post: "You won’t see him among the entries for the Arkle at Leopardstown later this month but there is a ‘winners of two’ novice at Naas on February 6 and my plan is to run him in that instead."

"It fits in nicely and allows me to give him the full fortnight off since Leopardstown. He has been back in training since September and it’s a long time between then and Cheltenham without a break. The Naas race will leave us with just over five weeks (before Cheltenham) which is ideal time wise," added the Curragh trainer.

Captain Cee Bee is a general 6/1 second favourite for Cheltenham honours, with Sizing Europe a point shorter in the betting with Paddy Power.

Harty added: “He is in fabulous form and enjoying his break around the paddock and thankfully none the worse for his fall at Leopardstown.”