Big Zeb completes Fortria hat-trick

Big Zeb showed he still has the enthusiasm for racing as he claimed the Fortria Chase at Navan this afternoon for the third year running on his first start of the season.

The Colm Murphy trained son of Oscar was ridden for the first time by Robbie Power today with his regular pilot Barry Geraghty over in Cheltenham.

Having tracked the leader Forpadydeplasterer for most of the race, he then improved to lead after the third last. He was ridden two out as Forpadydeplasterer & Noble Prince produced there challenges, however he battled on gamely to hold both of them off scoring by two lengths at the line.

Noble Prince, who was backed into evens favourite finished second under Davy Russell while Forpadydeplasterer under Bryan Cooper ran well to take third just a head back at 8/1.

Recording his twelfth career win today Big Zeb was returned at 6/5.

Winning trainer Colm Murphy, who was recording a double on day having scored earlier with Voler La Vedette said afterwards: "I'm thrilled to bits. He was very good today. They were never going hard enough for him.

"It’s a great way to start him back and it’s a relief to get that out of the way. We will keep him ticking over now until Leopardstown at Christmas which is the plan.

"He is really well in himself and his jumping was very slick today He will improve plenty for it."

Paul Nolan trainer of the runner-up Noble Prince said afterwards: "He ran well. He was beaten by a better horse, a legend.

"We don’t pick up the same on that ground as we do on better ground."