Big Zeb took the Fortria Chase enroute to landing the “Queen Mother” last season, and Colm Murphy will be hoping his stablestar can follow suit at the Festival this term after again landing the Navan Grade 2 event.
The Oscar gelding has given some cause for concern with his jumping in the past but he put in a clear round here, heading front-runner Carthalawn soon after the last.
Barry Geraghty, completing a double on the afternoon having earlier scored on Our Girl Salley pushed out the 8/15 favourite to beat Golden Silver who stayed on well in the closing stages, by a length and a quarter. Carthalawn could find no extra another length and three quarters away in third.
“It's more of a relief because of the ground as he's definitely better on good ground. It's not ideal running on ground as heavy as that but it's a case of getting a run into him. I'm delighted with the way he jumped, and feel he's growing up a bit and is stronger, more mature and settling better in his races. He'll go next for the Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas,” said Murphy.
Sean Graham leave the nine-year-old unchanged at 7/2 to retain his Champion Chase crown next March, and make Golden Silver a 14/1 chance for the two mile championship.
