RACING:TWO-MILE champion chaser Big Zeb will take a vital step on the road to defending his Cheltenham title when he lines up at Punchestown at the end of the month.

Colm Murphy has confirmed the Tied Cottage Chase, the race he won on-route to Queen Mother Champion Chase glory last year, will again be Big Zeb’s festival warm-up this season.

Big Zeb has beaten his old rival Golden Silver twice this season already, in the Fortria and the Dial-A-Bet, and is due to line up against the Willie Mullins-trained horse again in 12 days.

“The Tied Cottage is on the cards for him. We’re delighted with him, he’s very well,” Murphy said yesterday. “He’s working well and we couldn’t be happier with him.”

The Wexford trainer has a possible RSA Chase candidate in Quito De La Roque, who scored a Grade Two success at Naas on Saturday.

The Dr PJ Moriarty Chase at Leopardstown on February 6th could be the next target for the Michael O’Leary-owned novice.

“He has an entry in the Moriarty, but I’m not sure if it will come too quick for him,” Murphy said.

“He hasn’t missed a beat since his first run so I think we’ll wait another week and make a decision.

“He’s come out of his race well, so there’s every possibility he will go there.”