close up in 3rd, jumped well, 2nd from 3 out, disputed lead travelling best 2 out, led entering straight, 3 lengths clear after last, hard ridden and one pace last 100 yards, all out
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, ridden and no impression from 2 out, kept on same
tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd 3 out, in touch still travelling well after 2 out, slight mistake last, driven out and kept on well without ever threatening winner
led, ridden and joined 2 out, headed entering straight, rider lost whip approaching last, kept on same pace run-in
The last two winners of this, BIG ZEB and Golden Silver, lock horns again and have Captain Cee Bee to contend with. The former has seen off Golden Silver on three occasions in 2010, including when they met at Navan last month. The Queen Mother Champion Chase winner has everything in his favour and should beat his old rival again but Captain Cee Bee is a big threat. Eddie Harty's charge made a highly satisfactory reappearance at Naas where he easily accounted for Archie Boy and the only times he has been beaten over fences came when falling at the last in a Grade 1 here a year ago and when breaking a blood vessel in the Arkle at Cheltenham. Scotsirish is useful but not quite this grade while J'y Vole was unplaced in the Lexus Chase here yesterday.
Big Zeb (IRE) 8-15fav (11-12) Settled 3rd, 2nd 5 out, challenged before 3 out, niggled along in 2nd 2 out, stayed on to lead after last, kept on well run-in, cosily, won at Navan 2m chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov beating Golden Silver (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Captain Cee Bee (IRE) 9-10fav (11-12) Chased leader, close up 4 out, travelling best straight, gained narrow lead before last, pushed out to assert run-in, won at Naas 2m chs Grade 3 (1) sft in Oct beating Archie Boy (11-8) by 4l, 4 ran.
Golden Silver (FR) 4-6fav (11-12) Held up, 6th halfway, went 3rd 2 out, smooth headway between horses to lead before last, stayed on well to draw clear run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft beating Zaarito (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Scotsirish (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Chased leaders in 3rd, driven along and no impression entering straight, 7th 2 out, left 5th after last, 5th of 8, 16l behind Golden Silver (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft.
J'y Vole (FR) 4-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, 6th 3 out, went 4th 2 out, landed in 2nd after last, kept on well run-in without reaching winner, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Tranquil Sea (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Grade 1 chs (1) sft.
