Racing: Henry de Bromhead described Sizing Europe's demolition job of Big Zeb in the Boylesports.com Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown as "savage".
The reigning Queen Mother Champion Chase hero dismissed the 2010 winner with apparent ease on unsuitably heavy ground, causing bookmakers to take evasive action about him retaining his crown next month.
Andrew Lynch, who has struck up such a wonderful partnership with the 10-year-old, adopted positive tactics and his bold jumping had Big Zeb in trouble from an early stage.
Despite Big Zeb getting back into contention between the final two fences, he had no answer when Lynch kicked for home two furlongs out.
The 9-10 favourite ran out a 15-length winner over Colm Murphy's charge.
"Myself and Andrew are delighted," said De Bromhead. "Andrew said he didn't jump like he normally does, but I thought he was brilliant. He just popped a few because of the ground and didn't let fly, but it was a savage performance and it is straight to Cheltenham now.
"Hopefully he is OK in the morning and we'll roll on from there - he is an amazing horse to be involved with. I'm probably only brave enough now to make the running with him - it has taken me six years to let him roll on at his own pace.
"In most of the top races there is plenty of pace on so he didn't need to do that but I said to Andrew to just go out and enjoy himself. Travelling (to Britain) is like having another race and it's great to win a race at Punchestown.
"It is great for Irish racing to have two champions running here and this was a stepping stone for both horses - they are usually so close and I'm sure they'll be a lot closer come Cheltenham."
Murphy believes the heavy ground goes some way to explaining his display.
He said: "Robbie (Power) was never happy with him today - he said he was always niggling just to keep in touch. In fairness, the winner was very good - he's gone a proper gallop on heavy ground.
"We'll improve for the run, but we'll have to. Robbie said he was beat before the first fence. It was always a worry running on that ground, it was proper testing. Cheltenham is still the plan."
The winner has been cut to11-10 from 7-4 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase while the runner-up is a 5-1 chance.