Comeback for Captain

Captain Cee Bee is expected to finally make his much-anticipated racing comeback in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase at Naas.

The Edward Harty-trained gelding, who triumphed in the 2008 Supreme Novices' Hurdle, has been absent from the track with injury for over 600 days, but also missed intended fixtures last month due to the weather and a minor blood problem.

The Naas card on Thursday is set to undergo a 7.30am inspection before it is given the all clear but after walking the course, Harty believes his charge will finally get the chance to make his chasing debut.

Hopeful

"I walked the track this morning and it wasn't too bad at all, so hopefully the meeting will go ahead this time," said Harty.

"There are one or two boggy patches but that is to be expected and it is as good as you could hope for given the rain we've had.

"We want to get him out, get a run into him and see how he goes over fences, but the horse is in great form.

"It's a decent field, but you don't get easy beginners' chases over here and there are certain stages in a horse's career when the race is more important than the result and this is one of those.

"We're just hoping that he puts up a good show and Tony (McCoy) gets off him, gives him a pat down the neck and is happy with him. That's the main thing tomorrow."

Harty has considered alternative options for the eight-year-old should the Naas event be called off.

"If the meeting is off, he would probably either go to Navan at the weekend or we'd try to get away and give him a school somewhere," added Harty.

"Hopefully though, we won't have to worry about that."