Champion Chase glory for Big Zeb

Big Zeb laid to rest his jumping demons with a flawless performance in the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival - with Master Minded well beaten.

Paul Nicholls' Master Minded was attempting to emulate Badsworth Boy by becoming only the second ever horse to win the race three years in a row.

Big Zeb was always travelling strongly for Barry Geraghty and had a nice lead into the straight off Forpadydeplasterer. But Colm Murphy's 10-1 winner jumped the last fantastically to seal a six-length victory.

Kalahari King ran on from the rear to beat Master Minded for third.

'It was a great performance and he's jumped well all year,' said Geraghty.

'He ran no race at Sandown (Tingle Creek) but other than that he's been very good. He had a good look around after the last and I thought he was going to pull up, but he found plenty when he needed to.

'I saw Master Minded coming but I had a lot left when I kicked for home.'

Ruby Walsh said of the beaten favourite: 'He wouldn't go on the ground as it was too quick for him.'