Wayne Bailey / 15 February 2010 Free Bet View Market

The last time I wrote about the Arkle Chase, Captain Cee Bee was trading around [6.0] after his near miss at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival - but following his bloodless victory at Naas, that price has solidified and now stands at [4.8].

His latest victory was hardly a big news story as he went off at [1.43] on Betfair but in fairness, he could only beat those who lined up against him on the day and it was a good performance considering the heavy ground conditions. At this stage, he looks a worthy favourite.

Sizing Europe ([7.8]) will have his fans too but he's not exactly the most consistent horse in the world. When he's good, he's very good but it's fair to say he can run a stinker now and then too. His trainer Henry De Bromhead however, is looking forward to the festival and gave an upbeat report to ATR on Monday:

"I'm very happy with him. We don't think we're too far off Captain Cee Bee and we beat him at Christmas so, in that sense, we're better...He's the best horse I've had anything to do with, I'm very lucky to have him and am looking forward to him running."

Second favourite on Betfair is the Henrietta Knight trained Somersby ([7.6]), who is now unbeaten in two starts over fences. The gelding's trainer has reported the six-year-old as being in fine form at home and suggested that he'll go straight to the festival without another run.

Riverside Theatre, Sports Line and Tataniano have each attracted a small bit of support with the rest of the field trading at high double-figure prices.

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Tags: Arkle Chase, Captain Cee Bee, Cheltenham 2010, Sizing Europe, Somersby, Wayne Bailey