Harty: Captain’s the one to beat

EDDIE Harty admits he would not swop 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.