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 Co Wexford 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 this year 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.

“We’ve probably got a better run with him this year. Things went a little bit haywire last year after Sandown. He had a bone problem and he had a twitch of arthritis, but we’ve been lucky and able to keep on top of that.

“Things have gone really well with him and if we could have changed the result the last day everything would have gone to plan. We were disappointed to get beat but we weren’t disappointed the way he ran so in that sense we couldn’t be happier.”

Murphy has great respect for the opposition, headed by two-time winner Master Minded.

“As well as Master Minded, there’s the likes of Somersby and Woolcombe Folly. They are on the upgrade and likely to improve as the year goes on. If they keep improving they are definitely major players as well,” Murphy said.

“I wouldn’t want to swap my horse for anything else in the race at the moment, but I do have major respect for all the other horses.”

Big Zeb is 3-1 second-favourite behind Master Minded, the 5-2 market leader, to retain his crown on March 16.