Big Zeb© Photo Healy Racing
Big Zeb faces four rivals when he bids to win the Irish Form Book Fortria Chase for the fourth year running at Navan on Sunday.
The 11-year-old has been a tremendous servant to Colm Murphy's stable, winning a host of major prizes topped by the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March 2010.
However, he has to bounce back from a disappointing final run of the last campaign when he trailed home 20 lengths in third place behind Sizing Europe in Punchestown's Champion Chase, a race he had won 12 months earlier.
He is up against Peter Casey's seven-year-old Flemenstar, who won his last five races last term, culminating in the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse in April.
Noel Meade is sending Realt Dubh out to do battle again just eight days after he was fourth to Kauto Stone in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal.
Mr Cracker and Foildubh complete the quintet.
Big Zeb's rider Robbie Power believes the horse retains plenty of ability and enthusiasm.
"He's shown plenty of his old spark. I've been down to give him a pop over fences and he's been working well and his preparation has gone well," he told At The Races.
"Flemenstar was a very good novice last season and it looks a very hot race.
"He's a handy enough horse to get fit. Colm's had him away a couple of times and he's fairly straight.
"I don't think fitness will be too much of an issue."
