Zeb on course for Dial-A-Bet Colm Murphy today reported his string in fine form as he gears up for Leopardstown's big Christmas meeting. Big Zeb leads the charge for the Gorey handler as he takes another step on the road to defending his Champion Chase crown. The Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase (Monday 27th) is on the cards for the nine-year-old while Voler La Vedette could also turn out again following a fine third behind Hurricane Fly at Fairyhouse last week. The mare covered herself in glory in a star studded contest and Murphy will monitor her for the next week before committing to the Leopardstown Festival Hurdle (Wednesday 29th). Zaarito is set to miss the festive action, however, after having a hard race on his return when an excellent second to Golden Silver in the Hilly Way Chase at Fairyhouse. “So far so good with them. The weather has been a bit of a pain but it's all systems go,” said Murphy. “I would have loved to get them to the Curragh for a school. But with Big Zeb it wouldn't matter much as we wouldn't do a lot with him. “I was absolutely delighted with the two that ran at Fairyhouse last week (Voler La Vedette and Zaarito). “Voler is in at Christmas but I wouldn't make a decision for another week about her. She had a hard enough race. “There is not much else for her though. She's had a couple of races already this year and it doesn't seem to have taken too much out of her. “Zaarito won't run at Christmas – we'll give it a miss. The plan with him was to give him a run at Naas before the Hilly Way and ideally I would have loved to get another bit of work into him. “He was just a bit short and that probably meant he took a bit more out of himself. I was delighted with him. “He's in the MCR Hurdle and that's a possibility or he could go across the water for something like the Victor Chandler. “There is not much for him here. He's rated 130 over hurdles so is well handicapped and that might be the route to go.” Gary Carson
