Golden Silver has finished behind Big Zeb on four occasions in the past but he outpointed the 4/6 favourite in today's Grade 2 Boylesports.com Tied Cottage Steeplechase at Punchestown.
Big Zeb jumped on three out under Barry Geraghty but Golden Silver who had raced off the pace under Paul Townend, really began to motor from the second last fence and he 'cut down' the odds-on shot on the run-in, prevailing by half a length.
Willie Mullins said of the successful Mrs Violet O'Leary-owned gelding: "It just goes to prove the old adage that if you're not in you can't win. He didn't jump well early and he only got into it in the last half mile. His style of racing suits being dropped in like that though.
"I'd imagine he could go straight across the water (to Cheltenham). I was thinking of the Ryanair but we'll leave him in the two (the Champion Chase as well) and see what happens.
"I thought he could be a bit flat coming here off the back of recent runs but maybe he is better suited to having a run rather than being trained.
"Going on the evidence and the way he operates he could run again before Cheltenham."
Meanwhile Colm Murphy wasn't too downbeat about Big Zeb saying: "There was always going to be a day like that and today was the day.
"Anyway we learned plenty and he seems to be okay after it. He probably jumped too well to get there when he did."
Golden Silver is 6/1 (from 10/1) for the Ryanair Chase with Stan James. In the Champion Chase Big Zeb is now 10/3 (from 9/4) whilst Golden Silver is 8/1 (from 16/1).
