Murphy happy with Big Zeb for Fortria test
The 10-year-old has won the contest on his seasonal reappearance for the last two years and the Co Wexford handler is hoping he can land the hat-trick this weekend.
“He’s done well and we start him back on Sunday in the Fortria,” Murphy told sportinglife.com. “He seems good and we’re happy with him so fingers crossed.
“He’s been lucky there the last couple of years and although he’s ready for his first run he’ll improve plenty for it. He’s as ready as we can have him for his first run though.”
Big Zeb lost his Champion Chase crown at the Cheltenham Festival in March when beaten by Sizing Europe, but he is a well-fancied 6-1 chance with Sky Bet to regain his crown after he beat that same rival at Punchestown on his final start last season.
However, Murphy is taking it one race at a time with him as he approaches his 11th birthday.
“We’ll map out his campaign after Sunday, he’s 10 going on 11 so he’s not getting any younger but Leopardstown (Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase) looks the obvious place for him to go next.”
Leading Paddy Power Gold Cup hope Noble Prince is also among the entries for the Fortria Chase.
Winner of the Jewson Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season, Noble Prince is as short as 9-1 third favourite for the Paddy Power although trainer Paul Nolan has yet to commit to the race.
The Des Sharkey-owned seven-year-old is one of five possible rivals for Big Zeb.
Forpadydeplasterer, who finished second in the Star Chase at Punchestown on his reappearance last month, Psycho, Trafford Lad and Predateur are the other entries.
Meanwhile, Colm Murphy is hopeful Voler La Vedette can make the most of her sex allowance in the Grade Two Lismullen Hurdle at Navan on Sunday.
The seven-year-old mare hasn’t been seen since finishing fourth to Quevega over three miles in the Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle at Punchestown in May and she drops back in trip to 2m4f for her seasonal reappearance.
The likes of Karabak, Mikael D’Haguenet and Mourad could be in opposition but Murphy says she has plenty in her favour.
“She’s summered really well and she seems in great order, I couldn’t be happier with her,” said Murphy.
“She’s in the same boat as Big Zeb as she’s as ready as we can get her but she will also improve plenty for her first run.
“However, it’s been her target for a while and though it looks a competitive race on paper she gets 7lbs from all the boys so that helps.”
Unaccompanied could make a quick reappearance over hurdles at Naas on Saturday following her comeback run on the Flat at Leopardstown. Last season’s Triumph Hurdle runner-up was second in a 10-furlong handicap on Sunday and is reported to have come out of the race in great shape.
Trainer Dermot Weld has given the four-year-old filly an entry in the Naas Vet Panel Supporting Racing Fishery Lane Hurdle this weekend.
“She ran a very good race and was giving a stone to the winner (Tobar Na Gaoise),” said Stan Cosgrove, manager for owners Moyglare Stud.
“There’s talk of running her in a good hurdle race at Naas. She wasn’t completely fit for Leopardstown. She hadn’t run for some time.”
