JP McManus: flying colours

EDDIE HARTY'S 2008 Supreme Novices Hurdle winner Captain Cee Bee made amends for his costly Leopardstown fall at Christmas with a smooth success under Mark Walsh in the BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Novice Chase at Naas.

The nine-year-old cruised into the lead on the approach to the last where he stumbled on landing but quickly recovered to beat the long-time leader Fosters Cross by 13 lengths in the familiar colours of JP McManus.

Captain Cee Bee is now 7-2 (from 4-1) with Ladbrokes for the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham. Harty said: "It's like they say in military parlance – 'that was the minefield that had to be crossed before the war!' I couldn't be happier with him and he jumped great, apart from slightly missing the last again.

"I'd prefer it if the ground at Cheltenham was good and then people would see what he can really do. He handles soft ground now because he's a stronger horse and two years older, but I believe that firm ground is ideal for him."

Jockey Davy Russell combined with trainer Gordon Elliott for success through the Gigginstown House Stud-owned odds-on favourite Grey Soldier in the Paddy Power Cheltenham Trial Sunday 21st February Maiden Hurdle.

The Galileo gelding led halfway up the run-in to score by two-and-a-half lengths, after being short of room going to the last. Elliott remarked: "He did that well and deserved to win on his form. He's a good horse but he'd be far better on better ground. He'll maybe run in a Grade 2 novice hurdle back here at the end of the month, but he won't be going to Cheltenham. Fairyhouse and Punchestown is the plan."