Cee Bee looks best

NAAS PREVIEW: CAPTAIN CEE Bee can cement his position at the top of the Arkle betting if, as expected, he comes through his …

NAAS PREVIEW:CAPTAIN CEE Bee can cement his position at the top of the Arkle betting if, as expected, he comes through his festival prep' with flying colours at Naas today.

Eddie Harty’s 2008 Cheltenham winner lines up against four opponents in the Opera Hat Chase and for a horse that looked set to beat Sizing Europe over Christmas until tipping up at the last, this should be a relatively straight-forward task.

“He seems in top nick and hopefully he’ll put in a clear round,” Harty said yesterday. “The form of his comeback run at Naas is looking very good and I think he would have won last time.”

Grey Soldier ran into Rite Of Passage on his last start and there shouldn’t be anything of that calibre for the former French Listed winner in the opening maiden.

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Kimberlite King has a first start since November in the Beginners Chase but some of his form this season would give him a first-rate chance, while Rayhani’s first start out of maiden company looks interesting in the handicap hurdle.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column