Zeb boosts Cheltenham prospects
The reigning two-mile champion chaser jumped magnificently — often his failing in the past — and it was always a question of when Barry Geraghty pushed the button.
Geraghty eased him past Scotsirish going to the last and Big Zeb was soon well in control, although tiring somewhat through the last hundred yards in the testing ground.
Trainer, Colm Murphy, reported: “I’m delighted and we will back off him now. He will run next in the Tied Cottage at Punchestown and then go back to Cheltenham.
“We weren’t held up any day, but I was a a bit afraid because he missed a vital piece of work. We will now keep it simple, the same as last year.
“He jumped really well today and is starting to get sense, he is a lot more relaxed.”
Ladbrokes kept Big Zeb at 4-1 for the Champion Chase, while Boylesports and William Hill left him on 7-2.
Willie Mullins began his day in style when one-eyed Cottrelsbooley, 11-8 to evens, easily won the paddypower.com Android App Maiden Hurdle. Taken straight into the lead by Paul Towend, the winner set a relentless gallop and only Buck Barrow was able to keep tabs on him.
He cracked before the turn in, however, and Cottrelsbooley was a comfortable five lengths to the good at the line.
Mullins was represented by Harold Kirk, who said: “He has to go left-handed and will now head for a winners’ of one.
“We have no big plans, but he’s a fair horse. He’s a brilliant jumper and gallops and will probably be kept at home this season.”
There was a distinct smell of burning rubber after Mullins 1-4 shot Zaidpour had bitten the dust in the paddypowerpoker.com Future Champions’ Novice Hurdle.
Victory went to 16-1 shot First Lieutenant, partnered by Davy Russell for Mouse Morris, who certainly got first run on the hot-pot.
First Lieutenant was always perfectly positioned, with Russell driving him past Hidden Cyclone before the last.
Zaidpour, who admittedly didn’t travel in the manner which might have been expected, was soon out after the winner, but still a neck adrift at the line.
“I didn’t think he’d win over the trip”, admitted Morris. “He only came here because Michael O’Leary wanted him to run.
“I will have to talk to Michael, but if he runs again it will be at the rising ground (Cheltenham). He’s a horse for next season.”
Our Girl Salley, initiating a double for Barry Geraghty, confirmed she is a horse of immense potential when taking the ITBA Fillies Scheme EBF Mares’ Hurdle.
She scored despite having a far from ideal preparation. Explained trainer, Prunella Dobbs: “It was horrendous, a nightmare.
“We had a foot and a half of snow at home and all she has done is walk around a big field, that was sensational. I will have a think before deciding where she will go next.”
The daughter of Carroll House came there cantering going to the last and she surged away on the flat to score by three lengths. Boylesports gave her a quote of 25-1 for the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The Aintree Grand National could loom large on the horizon for Majestic Concorde, following his success off 11-9 in the Paddy Power Chase. Superbly handled by Robbie McNamara, Majestic Concorde was taken to the front going to the third last and that seemed plenty early enough.
But McNamara isn’t just about the best amateur around for nothing and Majestic Concorde never flinched to easily beat Becauseicouldntsee.
“He is a wonderful horse to train and very versatile”, said Weld. “I think that’s my first ever runner in the race and the prizemoney is great, which is why we’re here.
“He had a lot of weight and I was going to claim off him, but Robbie didn’t think that was a good idea!”
Barry Geraghty rounded off a terrific afternoon when driving The Shepherd clear from the last, in the Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle, to complete a treble.
In the Bumper Jim Will Fix It made most of the running, just holding on to beat heavily-backed market leader, Mississippi River, by a short head.
* Yesterday’s attendance was 12,014.
