Leopardstown Christmas Festival - Dial A-Bet-Chase 2010

1.25 Leopardstown
Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+)
2m1f

Pick: Big Zeb (win)

Big Zeb: Has always had talent to produce great performances (as he showed when he should have beaten Masterminded but for a horrible mistake at the last 2 years ago) and finally put it all together when winning 4 out of his 5 starts last year, capped off by a devastating six length win in the Champion Chase; Retuned in good style when easily beating Golden Silver in the Fortria Chase, and is the clear standout here.

Captain Cee Bee: Hasn't had much luck since landing the Grade 1 Supreme Novices' Hurdle in 08’ but obviously top class and put together a slick round of jumping when winning Champion Novices Chase at Punchestown, salvaging a deserved success from his debut chasing season after a very poor round of jumping (admittedly with a burst blood vessel) led to an 8th place finish in the Arkle; Made light work of easy return in the Poplar Square Chase and major contender for all 2 mile championship chases, this included, assuming his jumping holds up.

Follow The Plan: Decent 2m Novice Chaser who took notable scalp of Tatenen in Grade 1 at Christmas 2 years ago; Has only run 5 times since then but would have massive task even on his best form.

Golden Silver: Got the better of Arkle winner Forpadydeplaster in Irish Arkle before going off the boil for the rest of his novice runs; Has since made up into one of top Irish Chasers, winning this race a year ago before impressive successes in the Dan Moore Memorial and Boylesports Champion Chase at Punchestown Festival; Well beaten behind Big Zeb first time up but already showed how much that had brought him on with impressive win in Hilly Way Chase last time; Should go close.

Made In Taipan: Has struggled to break into the top ranks over fences, although he did come forth in 2 Grade 1 races last year and no shame in being beaten 8 lengths (giving 8lbs) to Glencove Marina last term; Will need this after 8 months off though.

Scotsirish: Ran well in a series of races last season, the best of those being an excellent second under topweight in the Topham, also winning the Normans’s Grove Chase; Has been below par in his 2 runs this season, and needs a lot to be competitive in this.

Jy V’ole: Top class mare who was beaten by pair of top notch performers in Poquelin and Albertas Run in the Ryanair, only to unseat in the Guinness Gold Cup; Ran a great race having been given too much to do in the John Durkan to claim second late on, and over an even shorter trip, doubtful that she can beat such top notch performers.

VERDICT: A top notch renewal which is likely to tell us which of these horses is Ireland’s best 2 mile chaser, a claim which would entitled them to take a serious hand in the Champion Chase given they had the 1-2 in it last year. BIG ZEB was thoroughly dominant that day, and he looked as good as ever when landing his second successive Fortria Chase on his seasonal debut. Golden Silver can be expected to get closer on this occasion, but Big Zeb had a lot in hand. Captain Cee Bee could easily announce himself on the big stage here, although his jumping under pressure is still a worry.