Although the Grand National at Aintree is the world's most famous steeplechase, the most prestigious National Hunt race meeting is the Cheltenham Festival, with ten Grade 1 jump races carded over 4 days.
Kicking off the Festival on Tuesday March 11 was the £120,000 Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices Hurdle (G1). A field of 22 horses (aged 4 and up) contested the 2 1/16 mile trip over 8 hurdles. 17-2 shot Captain Cee Bee stalked the early pace of Quartano and Norther Bay, then moved up to challenge for the lead with 3 hurdles remaining, running down 8-1 co-favorite Binocular at the 1/16 pole to win by 2 lengths at the line. It was another 4 1/2 lengths back to 20-1 Snap Tie in third. The running time was 4:06.45 over the good to soft course.
Winning trainer Edward Harty Jr. said, "You dream about this sort of thing, but you never think it will happen. But to be honest, I don't feel euphoria, it's more relief, the release of the pressure of the last four months. You come here just hoping you're not going to leave Cheltenham with egg on your face. He didn't actually like the softened ground much and if we have the usual spring ground next year, you'll see the real Captain Cee Bee."
