Queen Mother Champion Chase Set for Day Two Feature

Big Zeb got the better of Master Minded last year in this one and they both return for round three with a Champion Chase apiece under their belts. This fixture is the de facto tie-breaker between the two but you have to wonder whether somebody else pops up to spoil the party?

The going will be a nearly textbook reproduction of what Big Zeb won over last year.

The only genuine blemish on Big Zeb’s race-record this year was when he was just beaten by Golden Silver not far from the line at Punchestown in Grade 2 action. Despite Big Zeb being a bit older he seems to be coming into form at the right time. He is hitting consistently at career-high figues while Binocular lags behind the form he demonstrated a year and a half ago. Still, he is winning relatively consistently so you can’t begrudge him that.

The Ruby Walsh/Paul Nicholls factor definitely enters the equation with Ruby aboard Master Minded. Punters who expect him to replicate yesterday’s heroics will enjoy a decent price. He is a millionaire and it is tough to get prices like that on big earners.

Somersby is winless this season but has run in solid races – not ducking anybody. He looks sharp from a ratings standpoint and commands a respectable price. He needs to capitalize on a mistake to get a victory but he’ll be a factor if he runs cleanly.

Woolcombe Folly likely won’t be hard off and he is progressing well with only a single defeat in nine races. The loss came to Sizing Europe at last year’s festival and the 8/1 price will interest some.

Golden Silver beat Big Zeb by a slim margin and then went on to win his next race with ease. He ran sixth last year and could be set to make a real statement.