Big Zeb a true champion

Big Zeb won the sixth Grade 1 of his career when being ridden out by Robbie Power to win the five runner Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown.

Remarkably this was his third victory in the race. The 8/11 favourite accounted for his old rival Noble Prince (7/2) by a length-and-a-quarter after the pair jumped the last in unison with frontrunner Forpadydeplasterer

Double Grade 1 winner Golden Silver from the Willie Mullins yard was fatally injured after suffering a crashing fall when depositing Paul Townend on the turf.

Big Zeb’s trainer Colm Murphy said: “It was always going to develop into a bit of a sprint from the second last and luckily enough he met the last two spot on.

“I’m delighted with the manner that he did it in even at this stage of his career. He still has enough pace and he seems to have plenty of his old sparkle.

“I would imagine he would go for the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown and we’ll see how we go from there. He deserves another crack at the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

“He looks better this season. His coat is better and he seems a better horse.”

William Hill and Sean Graham kept Big Zeb unchanged at 5/1 for the Champion Chase while Boylesports and Stan James cut him from 6/1 to 5/1. Sizing Europe is the favourite in this ante-post market.

Paul Nolan, trainer of runner-up Noble Prince, was magnanimous in defeat. He said: “We were beaten by a better horse on the day but I was happy that he galloped to the line better than he did at Navan.

“The Ryanair Chase is definitely his race at Cheltenham. He probably won’t have a run before then. The Tied Cottage Chase is the only race between now and then and it is a week later this year.”

Michael Graham