< Big Zeb made an impressive return to action with an eye-catching victory in the Ladbrokes.com Fortria Chase at Navan.

Colm Murphy's charge was ridden with great confidence by Barry Geraghty and was still hard on the bridle when easing clear on the run-in to beat Made In Taipan by a cosy half length.

"We'll either go to Sandown (for the Tingle Creek) or for the John Durkan next. We'll see how he comes out of the race," said Murphy.

"I'd have preferred not to run him on this sort of ground but there was nothing else for him and he needed more experience over fences."< Aitmatov and Oscar Looby gave trainer Noel Meade and jockey Paul Carberry a 65-1 double.

The former defied top-weight when running out a gritty winner of the Grade Two Lismullen Hurdle.

The 10-1 chance's task was made easier when closest rival Oscar Dan Dan came to grief at the second last.

"That was sweet in so many ways but mainly I'm delighted for the owner John O'Meara who is unwell at the minute," said Meade.

Oscar Looby (5-1) benefited from the last-fence fall of the odds-on Catch Me to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase by two lengths from Caim Hill

"That's two from two over fences now and he looked an unlikely winner in both. It was great to get the win," Meade continued.

"I'm not sure where we'll go next but I suppose the Drinmore is a possibility now."

Catch Me's trainer Edward O'Grady and jockey Andrew McNamara also managed a brace through Judge Roy Bean and Osana

The latter (4-6) made a winning debut over fences in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase, holding Roberto Goldback by three-quarters of a length.

Judge Roy Bean (5-6) was a cosy winner of the "For Auction" Novice Hurdle beating The Hurl by four and a half lengths.