Murphy still big on Zeb chance

COLM Murphy would still not swap Big Zeb “for anything else” as his stable star builds towards going for back-to-back victories in the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham next month.

The trainer’s disappointment at Big Zeb’s surprise defeat by Golden Silver in the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown two weeks ago has been tempered with the overall delight at how the preparation for the Festival has been going.

“He’s very good and came out of the race really well,” Murphy told At The Races. “We couldn’t have been happier with him. We were disappointed with the result, but he ran a blinder. Everything has gone to plan and it’s all systems go for Cheltenham.