Big Zeb set to 'run a big race'
Trainer Colm Murphy believes Big Zeb is ready to 'run a big race' in Wednesday's sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Last Updated: 13/03/12 10:38am
Trainer Colm Murphy believes Big Zeb is ready to 'run a big race' in Wednesday's sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Big Zeb will try to win back the Queen Mother Champion Chase crown he lifted in 2010 and turn the tables on Sizing Europe from 12 months ago, when he was beaten five lengths.
Although Colm Murphy's stable star got his revenge at Punchestown in May, he was 15 lengths adrift of his old rival when they last met at Punchestown.
"He's very good, not a bother on him. He travelled over on Monday night," said Murphy.
"We're hoping for a better run than last time. He seems in good nick, so we think he can run a big race. We'll be hoping for the best."
Irish challenge
Realt Dubh has not run since Punchestown's May Festival, but trainer Noel Meade is happy to go for this race rather than wait for the Ryanair Chase on Thursday.
"He's worked great and he does run well fresh," said Meade.
"We're basically going for the Champion Chase because the Ryanair looked more competitive in that there's likely to more runners and there's probably six or eight horses with not a lot between them.
"We felt that we had a better chance of being in the money in the Champion Chase, so we'll see what happens.
"There will be a lot of horses fancied in the Ryanair, so we're happy enough to go in the other race and take our chance."