NEWS
Big Zeb lands Queen Mother Champion Chase
Posted: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 6:08 PM
by Myra Lewyn
Big Zeb starred in a career-defining performance on Wednesday at the Cheltenham Festival when he thwarted an attempted triple by Master Minded in the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase.
The nine-year-old Oscar gelding tracked the early leaders and sealed the victory with a bold leap over the final fence to win by six lengths from pacesetter Forpadydeplasterer.
Master Minded, who was seeking emulate Badsworth Boy as only the second horse to win the race for three consecutive years, finished fourth under Ruby Walsh, who was never quite comfortable on the Nikos gelding and said the ground was too fast for the 4-to-5 favorite.
Big Zeb's triumph, accomplished at 10-to-1 odds, was particularly satisfying for jockey Barry Geraghty, who had his choice of mounts between the top pair.
“It was a great performance, and he’s jumped well all year,” Geraghty said of Big Zeb, who is trained by Colm Murphy. “He had a good look around after the last [fence], 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.”
Big Zeb, who entered off a victory on January 31 at Punchestown, covered two miles in 3:51.30 on turf rated as good.
Owned by Patrick Joseph Redmond, Irish-bred Big Zeb is out of the Deep Run mare Our Siveen.
Myra Lewyn is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
