Big Zeb could be allowed to have another crack at Sizing Europe in the Boylesports.com Champion Chase at next month's Punchestown Festival.
Colm Murphy's 11-year-old found things happening too quickly for him in last week's Queen Mother Champion Chase, which he had won in 2010, and trailed in over 16 lengths behind Finian's Rainbow and Sizing Europe.
Talk of retirement appears premature, however, and Murphy feels he can still be competitive in top races in Ireland.
Something Else
"I'd imagine we'll go to Punchestown," said Murphy.
"He seems in great order and I couldn't have been happier with him.
"Unfortunately he's 11 now. We'll keep tipping away and when he tells us he's had enough we'll retire him then.
"I can safely say he wont go to Cheltenham again - we'll keep him to races here.
"He's been something else, so good to us, so for that reason we won't abuse him and when we think he's had enough we'll call it a day.
"Until he tells us otherwise, we'll keep tipping away," the County Wexford handler told At The Races.
