Captain Cee Bee kicked off his campaign in fine style with a cosy victory in the Poplar Square Chase at Naas this afternoon.
Mark Walsh tracked leader Archie Boy throughout on the 9/10 favourite before moving up to challenge at the second last.
He soon hit the front and only needed to be shaken up on the run-in to take command - going on for a four-length victory. Catch Me never threatened four-lengths back in third while Psycho was last of the four after some sticky jumping.
JP McManus was on hand to welcome back the winner, who was shorted by Stan James into 9/1 from 16/1 for the Champion Chase at Cheltenham.
"That's lovely. Just what the doctor ordered," said his delighted trainer Eddie Harty afterwards.
"His jumping has improved from last year - although there wasn't a lot wrong with it. He was very quick over his last three fences today.
"That's the first box ticked and the next question is what are the other boxes.
"There are a lot of races for him and I don't want to commit right now. The ultimate aim is the Queen Mother and we'll take it day-by-day. He looks as good as ever.
"I'll look at something in late November, early December. There's the Tingle Creek and Durkan Chase.
"Then we'll look at the Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. I don't want to abuse him and he'll get a nice break then before Cheltenham.
"He's an exciting prospect and I'm blessed to have him."
