Zeb chasing champion trail

Big Zeb will just have one more run before bidding to retain his crown in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

Colm Murphy’s crack two-miler landed the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown late last January en route to taking Festival honours in March.

That race on January 30 will again be the next port of call after he showed his class with victory in the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown on Wednesday.

“He’s very good, he’s been out in the paddock and there’s not a bother with him,” said Murphy.

“We thought he’d be a bit short of work because of the cold weather, so it’s great that we know he’d be better for it.

“That was the key thing, so we’re delighted.

“The Tied Cottage the obvious one, the same as last year and keep it nice and simple.”

Big Zeb is around a 7-2 shot for the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on March 16.