Big Zeb lands the Champion Chase

Big Zeb trained by Colm Murphy, led home an Irish one/two when the 10/1 shot credited Barry Geraghty with his third Champion Chase victory, when he ran out an impressive winner over Forpadydeplasterer.

Geraghty’s mount has been let down by his jumping in the past, but was foot perfect on this occasion and was eased to the front after the second last.

The winning rider had to get pretty vigorous with the nine year on the flat, but he was always doing enough in front to scoop the first prize of £!40,000.

Master Minded never looked happy on the ground and was being niggled along from the third last by Ruby Walsh and was run out of third place after the last by Kalahari King.

Murphy said: "He's had his bad days, and has made stupid mistakes, but everything has gone really well this year.

"We got a little bit greedy and went to Sandown for the Tingle Creek when we probably shouldn't have.

"But he's taken a bit of knowing and we're learning about him every day.

"Barry really believes in him and, in fairness to him, he was so bullish of beating Master Minded in Punchestown last year and I thought he was a bit mad, but he's been proved dead right.

"The pair of them have struck up a really good relationship and it's just fantastic.

"Every day you live with the horse and for him do this is just magic."

Geraghty added: "It was a great performance and he's jumped well all year.

"He ran no race at Sandown but, other than that, he's been very good.

"He had a good look around after the last and I thought he was going to pull up, but he found plenty when he needed to.

"I saw Master Minded coming but I had a lot left when I kicked for home."

Walsh said of the beaten favourite: "He wouldn't go on the ground as it was too quick for him."

Tom Cooper said of Forpadydeplasterer: "I'm very happy, but I suppose a bit sickened at the same time.

"He did have an interrupted preparation but that's got nothing to do with it as we were very happy with him beforehand.

"The only thing Tony (McCoy) and I feel is that he'd have preferred a stronger gallop early on as he's just been beaten by a quicker horse.

"He'll definitely go to Aintree or Punchestown now."