Colm Murphy is concerned about the testing ground for Big Zeb s Christmas appearance in the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown this afternoon.
Big Zeb has won less competitive events on heavy ground in the past, but Murphy's main concern is simply getting him back out on the track as he prepares to defend his Queen Mother Champion Chase title at Cheltenham in the spring.
He has been seen only once since his principal success, when beating Golden Silver in the Fortria Chase at Navan, and must challenge that rival again along with the still-up-and-coming Captain Cee Bee
"Ideally he wouldn't be running on ground this heavy, I'd prefer it to be better at this time of year but unfortunately it's the same for all of them," said Murphy.
"Touch-wood, he's very good. I couldn't be more happier with him, let's just hope it all goes well."
Although Captain Cee Bee, like Big Zeb, is approaching his 10th birthday, he is far less established as a chaser.
Winner of the 2008 Supreme Novices' Hurdle, he finished off his novice chasing campaign on a high with victory at Punchestown in April and took the Poplar Square at Naas on his sole start back.
"The ground will be quite heavy but you'd expect that," said his trainer Eddie Harty.
"The horse is in great form and we're really looking forward to the race - it will tell us a lot."
Golden Silver is part of the three-strong Willie Mullins team that make up the remainder of the Grade One field.
He finished comfortably ahead of stablemate Scotsirish in the rearranged Hilly Way Chase at Fairyhouse last time, while the mare J'y Vole was sixth behind Pandorama in the Lexus Chase here yesterday.
