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Freshness is the key to Big Zeb.

When Big Zeb flopped in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown in November, trainer Colm Murphy immediately blamed himself for giving his top qualuty chaser too much exposure to racing in a short time span.

Having had a rest interspersed with schooling exercises since the Tingle Creek, a 'fresh' Big Zeb showed his true ability in this afternoon's Grade 2 Punchestown Pavilion Tied Cottage Chase in Ireland.

Jumping brilliantly for partner Barry Geraghty, Big Zeb controlled the pace, while race favourite Golden Silver put in some slow jumps and never looked as comfortable as Big Zeb.

Between the last two fences, Geraghty asked his mount to quicken, and Big Zeb readily responded. The race was over as a contest at that point, and Big zeb went on to coast to a seven length success from a below par Golden Silver.

After today's victory, Colm Murphy confirmed Big Zeb would now be freshened up again before re-appearing at Cheltenham in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Luska Lad lands Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle.

Racing enthusiastically in behind 4/5 race favourite Saludos, the John Hanlon trained Luska Lad put a fall at Navan far behind him this afternoon at Punchestown, for after coming alongside the favourite in today's Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle, he put in a fantastic leap at the last flight, and then galloped on strongly to score by four and a half lengths.

While Paddy Power bookmakers immediately cut him for two Cheltenham Festival races, the trainer threw cold water on a Cheltenham trip, saying,

"Andrew Mcnamara believes Luska Lad is two stone better travelling right handed, and as I trust the jockey's judgement, it is highly unlikely Luska Lad will go to Cheltenham, but if he is fit, he will certainly return for the Punchestown Festival."

Another Jewel ends Bolger monopoly.

Trainer Enda Bolger has won the last three runnings of this afternoon's Glenfarclas Cross Country Race at Punchestown, but on this occasion, not one of his five runners could even manage a place.

The race went to the Denis Murphy trained 20/1 shot Another Jewel, with jockey John Cullen controlling things from a long way out before eventually scoring by six lengths from Gordon Elliott's former Aintree Grand National winner Silver Birch.

Voler confirmed for David Nicholson Mares Hurdle.

With his top quality mare hurdler Voler la Vedette now back to full fitness after a muscle pull, trainer Colm Murphy has chosen to prepare her at home before going directly to the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Tidal Bay to go direct to World Hurdle.

After reverting to hurdles and gaining his first win over three miles in Saturday's Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham, Tidal Bay is reported to be in good condition following his return to Howard Johnson's County Durham yard, and connections have now indicated the former Arkle Trophy winner will not race again until he appears in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Coming from the stable of three time World Hurdle winner Inglis Drever, Tidal Bay's trainer Howard Johnson knows how to get a horse properly prepared for the Cheltenham Festival long distance hurdle centrepiece, so when the trainer says,

"We will give him a thorough preparation ahead of Cheltenham, and I would hope he will be good enough to pick up some prize money." One can assume his trainer is understating his belief in Tidal Bay's chances in this year's World Hurdle.

Calgary Bay heading straight to Gold Cup.

Having missed out on the chance of giving Calgary Bay a run in Saturday's cancelled Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster, trainer Henrietta Knight has chosen to skip a further preparation race, and instead she intends to send Calgary Bay directly to the Cheltenham Gold Cup at March's Festival.

A comprehensive winner of a competitive three mile handicap at Doncaster in December, Calgary Bay would seem to have a lot more to do if he is to figure in this season's Cheltenham Gold Cup, but having trained Best Mate to a hat-trick of victories in the race, Henrieta Knight knows what is required to prepare a horse for the extended three and a quarter mile contest, and if she feels Calgary Bay is good enough to go directly to Cheltenham without a preparation run, then he should not be dismissed from the list of horses thought to be potential placed horses in this year's renewal.

Amos blames himself over Lie Forrit flop.

After watching his race favourite Lie Forrit flop in Saturday's Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham, trainer Willie Amos believes he is to blame by not getting enough miles of training into his horse prior to the race,

"He probably didn't like the sticky ground, but I suspect the main problem was our inability to get the mileage into him before the race. He has sparkled in the work he has done, but with the cold weather effecting his training programme, he was just not up to it on the day." Amos added,

"I still think he is up to Grade 2 standard, and we will now give him plenty of preparation ahead of a probable run in the Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock on 20 February. After that run we should be a lot wiser as to what to do next."

Hereford lost to frozen ground.

Given the benefit of an 8.00 am inspection, today's proposed meeting at Hereford has been abandoned due to unraceable frozen ground. This is particularly bad news to trainer Henrietta Knight, for she had intended to give her big Arkle Trophy hope Somersby his last preparation run for Cheltenham in the Lindley Caterers Novice Chase at today's meeting, and this willmean the handler will now be looking around for a suitable alternative.

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Henriettaq Knight has now confirmed she has entered Somersby in next Saturday's re-scheduled Grade 2 Lightning Novices Chase, along with an entry in the two mile three furlong novice chase on the sam card. Speaking this morning, Knight said,

" We have cgiven Somersby the two entries on next Saturday's revised card at Doncaster, and we will wait to see what conditions are before we make a final decision on which race will be most appropriate."

N.B. Following yesterday's cancellation at Doncaster, the BHA have moved to save the Grade 2 Lightning Novices Chase and the Grade 2 Skyvegas Mares Hurdle, with both races now being transferred to create an extended card at next Saturday's fixture at Doncaster.

Ludlow's Monday fixture already lost.

After a harsh overnight frost, and with snow covering large sections of the Ludlow circuit, Clerk of the Course Bob Davies has made the erly decision to abandon the race meeting scheduled to take place at the Shropshire venu on Monday 01 February.

Diamond Harry to have final 'prep' at Newbury.

Nick Williams has decided his impressive Altcar Novices Chase winner Diamond Harry will have his final preparation race for the Cheltenham Festival in the three mile novice chase at Newbury on 13 february.

Taranis in great shape after Argento success.

A suprised and delighted Paul Nicholls reports Taranis is in A1 shape after his unexpected winning return from long term injury in yesterday's Argento Chase at Cheltenham. Speaking today, Nicholls said,

" Hee seems to be in great shape. I have to admit he suprised me with the way he was so impressive in the closing stages of the race. Providing he shows no problems over the next few days, I would imagine he will now go for the Cheltenham Gold Cup."

New Mill has earned Cheltenham Festival tilt.

Following his win in this week's Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles, trainer John Murphy has decided to let New Mill take his chance in this season's Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. The 2006 Queen Mother Champion Chaser has been thereabouts in several major races over the past three years, but his victory this week was also his first since 2007, and Murphy is now keen to give New Mill a chance in a major Cheltenham race while he is exhibiting winning form.

Kangaroo most likely to bounce back at Aintree.

While confirming her unbeaten novice chaser Kangaroo Court has an entry in the Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival, trainer Emma Lavelle has advised her charge will only turn out at Prestbury Park if the going for the Festival is on the fast side of good. Explaining her position, Lavelle said,

"Kangaroo Court must have ground on the fast side of good to be at his best, and this means he will only run at Cheltenham if the ground dries out over the next few weeks. Otherwise, the plan will be to go to Aintree and possibly Punchestown if we have a dry Spring."

Cesare to have recuperation break.

James Fanshawe has reported former Group 2 flat winner Cesare lost condition behind the saddle after his initial hurdle race at Doncaster in November, and this has caused the trainer to put his nine-year-old on the 'easy list' for the time being.

"We will wait and see if he regains his condition before we make any more plans. But it is likely by the time he fully recovers, we may have to look at flat racing options."

Sacred Kingdom lands another Grade 1 prize.

Sacred Kingdom is currently rated as the top sprinter in the world, and he showed his determination to win is undiminished when overcoming stable mate Ultra Fantasy by three quarters of a length to land today's Grade 1 Kent and Co Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin racecourse in Hong Kong.