Big Zeb set to confirm superiority
A brilliant servant to the Colm Murphy yard for a number of campaigns, he may be rising 11, but there are no indications of any slippage in form.
Indeed, Big Zeb made a fine seasonal reappearance at Navan last month when giving Noble Prince 5lbs and a two lengths beating.
The selection has shown in the past that he is a better horse than today’s opposition and, with no Sizing Europe in the field, will be hard to beat.
Willie Mullins’ Sous Les Ciex looks best in the other Grade 1 on the programme, the paddypower.com Future Champions’ Novice Hurdle.
Following an easy touch in a maiden at Fairyhouse, he returned to that track to take the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle in smooth fashion from Galileo’s Choice.
Mullins may also supply the answer to the opening two contests on the card, both maiden hurdles, with Sarabad and Aupcharlie.
French-import Sarabad can take the first, having finished runner-up on two occasions at Auteuil.
The second maiden is a very weak heat for this track and best left to Aupcharlie, who was a particularly costly failure at Thurles on his debut over jumps.
A smart sort in bumpers, he was backed that day as if defeat was out of the question, but could only manage a disappointing third behind Lord Windermere and Golanbrook.
The bare form, however, still gives him the edge, considering Lord Windermere and Golanbrook have scored in the meantime.
The nap vote falls on Charles Byrnes’ Our Vinnie in the paddypower.com On Your Mobile Bumper. He was doing his best work at the end when third to clear-cut winner, the impressive Make Your Mark, and Sizing Gold at Punchestown last time and should be well suited to stepping up half a mile in trip.
