settled in 4th, improved into 2nd 4 out, led 3 out, strongly pressed from last, kept on under pressure, headed close home
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd and 3rd, 4th and no impression after 3 out, headway after 2 out, 2nd and challenged from last, stayed on well to lead close home
tracked leaders in 3rd, close 2nd after 5 out, slight mistake 4 out, driven along after 3 out, no impression after 2 out, 3rd and no extra approaching last
raced in 2nd, led 4 out, headed next, 4th and no extra after 2 out
led, clear early, not fluent 5th, driven along 5 out, headed and weakened before next
Golden Silver must be sick of seeing the rear end of BIG ZEB - the champion chaser has beaten him four times in the past year including in this a year ago. There's no reason for a form reversal and Colm Murphy's star should take this before heading to Cheltenham to defend his title. Golden Silver could still prove second best as he looked in top form when landing a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse two weeks ago and was seven lengths in front of Sizing Europe when landing the Boylesports.com Champion Chase here in April with Scotsirish a similar distance away.
Big Zeb (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) 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, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f chs G1 (1) hvy in Dec beating Golden Silver (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
Golden Silver (FR) 2-11fav (11-12) Tracked leader in moderate 2nd, slight mistake and niggled 3 out, closed before 2 out, led approaching last, pushed out run-in and kept on strongly, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 1f chs G2 (1) hvy beating Rubi Light (11-7) by 6l, 4 ran.
Sizing Europe (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Slow 1st and 2nd, tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway in 3rd travelling well 4 out, ridden 3 out, no impression on leader in 2nd approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, just held 2nd run-in, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Down Royal 3m chs G1 (1) sft in Nov.
Scotsirish (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Led, ridden and joined 2 out, headed entering straight, rider lost whip approaching last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 4, 2 3/4l behind Big Zeb (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f chs G1 (1) hvy in Dec.
Changing Course (IRE) 66-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway 26th, weakened after 4out, 8th of 10, well behind Lacdoudal (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) gs in Nov.
