Tataniano skips Arkle

Tataniano was a surprise absentee from the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham on Tuesday, with Long Run also missing from the 17-strong entry list at the six-day stage.

Paul Nicholls's Tataniano will skip the Arkle in order to run in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase on Friday.

"He's absolutely fine, but we just didn't think he was good enough for the Arkle and he's going to go for the Grand Annual instead," said owner Andy Stewart.

"It was obviously disappointing when he was beaten by a horse of Emma Lavelle's (Suntini) at Newbury last time and while he could be placed in an Arkle, he probably wouldn't be good enough to win it.

"Novices have a reasonably good record in the Grand Annual and he should have a good chance of winning that, so hopefully it works out."

Nicholls is now set to rely on Woolcombe Folly while Long Run waits for the RSA Chase.
Irish battle

Irish challengers Captain Cee Bee and Sizing Europe lead the betting and they will clash again as they speadhead a strong Irish challenge which also includes the Willie Mullins-trained trio of Quiscover Fontaine, Shakervilz and Sports Line.

When they clashed at Leopardstown on Boxing Day there was little between them at the final fence until Captain Cee Bee came down, leaving Sizing Europe to land the spoils.

"Everything is good with Sizing Europe and it is just a case of keeping him in one piece now," said trainer Henry de Bromhead. "He's done plenty of work and we'll just keep him ticking over now until he heads over to Cheltenham on Saturday.

"We obviously had the trouble with transit fever last year but we have a few ideas of how to do things differently and try to prevent it happening again, so hopefully it was a one-off."

The Eddie Harty-trained Captain Cee Bee, successful in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in 2008, returned to winning ways at Naas last month.

"Touch-wood, he's on course for the Arkle. He's in great form and fingers crossed he'll get there in one piece," said owner JP McManus' racing manager Frank Berry.

"He goes there in good order and we hope for the best."