Sport

Walsh and Captain Cee Bee put one over Rebel Fitz

RACING : EDWARD HARTY’S veteran Captain Cee Bee sprang a minor surprise in the Friends of Tipperary Hurdle yesterday.

Mon Oct 08 2012 - 01:00

RACING: EDWARD HARTY'S veteran Captain Cee Bee sprang a minor surprise in the Friends of Tipperary Hurdle yesterday.

Sent off at 9 to 1, the JP McManus-owned 11-year-old lowered the colours of the odds-on favourite Rebel Fitz.

Everything appeared to be going smoothly for the favourite with Davy Russell motionless two from home, tracking Captain Cee Bee.

But Michael Winters’ Galway Hurdle winner weakened rapidly, allowing Captain Cee Bee and Mark Walsh to come home 11 lengths to the good.

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The Willie Mullins pair of Thousand Stars and Blackstairmountain were both well beaten.

“I wasn’t surprised. I’m biased, but the horse has never got the credit he deserves for how good he is,” said Harty. “He had a bit of bad luck in the Galway Hurdle. He missed the break, but we were beaten fair and square by Rebel Fitz there.

“We’ll stick to hurdling for the moment, but plans are fluid. There’s no point in experimenting with him at 11. I’ll be lucky to have another one like him.”

Winters confirmed Rebel Fitz will now have a break.

Dermot Weld’s Yellow Rosebud gained her revenge on Jim Bolger’s Lady Wingshot in the Coolmore Stud Home of Champions Concorde Stakes.

Second to that rival twice previously, she was sent off the even-money favourite and the result never looked in doubt as Pat Smullen registered another winner.

“It is our third year in a row winning this race after Emulous and Anam Allta,” said Weld’s son and assistant, Kris.

“That’s dad’s 14th Group winner this year which is a fair total. She won nicely and appreciated the cut.

“She’ll go for the Listed Garnet Stakes at Naas or be let off. The intention is to keep her in training next year.”

Oliver McKiernan’s Whatever Jacksays made ever yard of the running in the Dolores Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle. Sent off the 4 to 7 favourite, he showed no ill-effects from his poor run on the level last week and Robbie Colgan never had any concerns.

“We’ve no real plans, but we might step him up in trip. He’s going well on the soft ground so the winter shouldn’t bother him,” said McKiernan.