Binocular still in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham

Solwhit had been challenging for favouritism before scoping badly on Monday and he faces a race against time to be fit for the big race. Two notable absentees are Dunguib and Quevega but both have alternative Cheltenham Festival targets with the former heading to the Spinal Research Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Quevega defending her crown in the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Binocular, has declared last year’s winner Punjabi and Zaynar. Celestial Halo, second in the race last season, is set to represent Paul Nicholls.

A strong Irish team is headed by Go Native and also includes Donnas Palm, Ebadiyan, Jumbo Rio, Kargali, Muirhead, Raise Your Heart, Royal And Regal, and Won In The Dark. Khyber Kim, Medermit and Starluck complete the declarations.

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TATANIANO AND LONG RUN TAKEN OUT OF ARKLE CHASE

Tataniano and Long Run do not feature among the 17 six-day acceptors for the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham on Tuesday. The former, trained by Paul Nicholls, bypasses Tuesday’s two-mile novice championship to instead run in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase on Friday.

“He’s absolutely fine, but we just didn’t think he was good enough for the Arkle and he’s going to go for the Grand Annual instead,” said owner Andy Stewart. It was obviously disappointing when he was beaten by a horse of Emma Lavelle’s (Suntini) at Newbury last time and while he could be placed in an Arkle, he probably wouldn’t be good enough to win it. Novices have a reasonably good record in the Grand Annual and he should have a good chance of winning that, so hopefully it works out. We obviously lined Poquelin up for the Grand Annual last year but that didn’t work out, so hopefully Tataniano can do the business. I may still have a runner in the Arkle as I own Nomecheki, so we’ll see.”

Paul Nicholls is now set to rely on Woolcombe Folly while Long Run waits for the RSA Chase.

Market leaders Captain Cee Bee and Sizing Europe speadhead a strong Irish challenge which also includes the Willie Mullins-trained trio of Quiscover Fontaine, Shakervilz and Sports Line.

The home team is headed by Somersby and Riverside Theatre, the latter set to be joined in the field by stablemate Mad Max.

Kangaroo Court, Leo’s Lucky Star, Nomecheki, Shoreacres and I’m Delilah are the other British-trained acceptors while Foster’s Cross, Nicanor and Osana complete the Irish team.

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Eddie Harty admits he would not swap Captain Cee Bee for any other horse in the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.

Harty’s nine-year-old won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle two years ago and while he missed last year’s Festival through injury, he heads the ante-post lists for the two-mile novices’ championship.

Winner of two of his three starts over fences, Captain Cee Bee tipped up when looking sure to take a hand in the finish of a Leopardstown Grade One over Christmas, handing the advantage to Sizing Europe.

That rival is again set to reoppose at Cheltenham and while Harty is aware of the threat, he believes Captain Cee Bee is a rightful favourite.

“I think he’s probably the best one in it but it’s racing and it’s competition and that’s what it is all about,” said the trainer.

“I thought Somersby was quite impressive at Sandown, he jumped well. Riverside Theatre was impressive at Kempton at Christmas but I wouldn’t swop my horse for any of them in it.”

Despite Captain Cee Bee crashing out on his only attempt at the highest level over fences, Harty feels his jumping is well up to scratch.

“I wouldn’t be worried about his jumping. If you go back three fences from the last at Leopardstown he jumped immaculately,” he explained.

“The last fence he was going so easily I think there was just a loss of concentration and he’s just caught his stifle on it – he jumped it cleanly in front.

“If the horse hadn’t knuckled on landing you would have said he junped it well.

“They go quicker at Cheltenham and I think he will jump better, or I hope he would.”

Captain Cee Bee missed last season through injury, but Harty reports his charge to be just as good now and preparations have been going well.

“I think he is better (since his injury),” he said.

“He might not be faster, but he is as fast and whether you can call that an improvement or not, I don’t know. He’s a stronger horse now than he was two years ago.

“He’s in great form. He schooled last week which will be his last school before Cheltenham.

“He did a nice piece of work yesterday on the grass and that will be his last strong piece before Cheltenham and now it’s just fingers crossed and get there in one piece.

“He has a great cruising speed, he’s high class and hopefully everything will go according to plan in 10 days’ time.”

Officials at Cheltenham are due to commence watering on Monday, with the ground currently good to soft, good in places.

Harty feels sound conditions will suit his contender.

“I still maintain good ground will bring out the best in Captain Cee Bee but it’s more of an irrelevance now than it would have been in the past,” he told At The Races.

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Captain Cee Bee beat Binocular at Cheltenham

Dunguib- Supreme Novice Hurdle….
Paddy Power has created a number of his world-renowned specials concerning Dunguib, yesterday’s impressive Royal Bond Novice Hurdle winner and many people’s idea of a Festival banker for March:
What will Dunguib’s SP be in the Supreme Novices Hurdle?
Evs to 6-4: 11-8
Odds On: 11-8
13-8 +: 3-1
How far will Dunguib win the Supreme Novice Hurdle by?
Up to & Including 4 lengths: 7-2
4 ½ Lengths or More: 11-4
Win Only
Singles Only – Bets are void if Dunguib does not take part in the Supreme Novice Hurdle.