Revenge proved sweet for Big Zeb as he reversed Cheltenham form with Sizing Europe in the Boylesports.com Champion Chase at Punchestown.
Colm Murphy 's star lost his two-mile crown last month, in the Queen Mother Chase, but proved he is still the one to beat in the division with a hard-fought victory in the €140,000 contest.
Sizing Europe tried to run the legs off his rivals after taking over from short-lived pacemaker Changing Course at the third fence.
He had his rivals at work turning for home but Big Zeb joined his old foe at the penultimate fence.
Barry Geraghty urged his mount into the lead going to the last and he looked in control from there.
The lose of his whip on the run-in gave Geraghty a few anxious moments as Sizing Europe came back at him but Big Zeb had enough in reserve to post a three-parts of a length verdict. Captain Cee Bee ran another fine race back in third, just failing to go with the front two at the second last, finishing nine-lengths behind.
"That's fantastic. I'm delighted for everyone at home as he's had his fair share of little problems," said Murphy.
"To come here after Cheltenham was a big ask and he was all guts today. They were slogging it out from a long way out.
"Barry said he felt the ground was a bit on the dead side."
The winner is set to have a similar campaign next year starting with the Fortria Chase at Navan.
"We'll take it race by race. He's not getting any younger and will be eleven next year.
"You can be sure there will be a few more young kids on the block. He'll probably start off at Navan again and we'll see how we go from there."
Barry Geraghty believes the ground was slow enough for his charge and that similar going had been his downfall at Cheltenham.
"The ground at Cheltenham was a little bit dead and he didn't travel as well or jump as well as he would on better ground.
"Today he was better but there was even enough water today. They had it in great condition but he wants genuine quick ground.
"Today he didn't lengthen at his fences as he would on better ground. He struggled and only just made it."
Henry de Bromhead was pleased with the run of Sizing Europe and thinks it could be a different story if the pair clash again at Cheltenham next year.
"My lad loves the hill at Cheltenham but we have no excuses. We we're beaten by a better horse on the day."
The crowd for the opening day of the festival was slightly down on last year.
13,721 came in through the gates compared to 14,177 in 2010, a drop of 465.
The Tote aggregate was also down from €754,185 in 2010 to €746,108 this year, a drop of €8077.
