BIG ZEB kicked off, in style, a campaign that could see him challenge for Champion Chase honours this season when easily landing yesterday’s Grade Two Fortria Chase feature at Navan.

Despite drifting from odds-on to 11 to 10 for the Ladbrokes-sponsored event, the Colm Murphy-trained star didn’t come off the bridle to beat Made In Taipan by half a length, with Barry Geraghty dismissively motionless in the saddle.

“There’s no point making hard work of an easy job!” Geraghty joked afterwards but it could be a much stiffer task at Sandown next month if, as seems possible, Murphy commits Big Zeb to a Tingle Creek clash with Master Minded.

The English horse, winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase for the last two years, is hot favourite to complete a hat-trick at Cheltenham in March but Big Zeb ran him to a head at Punchestown in April and on yesterday’s evidence looks a valid challenger this term. “He will either go to Sandown or Punchestown for the John Durkan. He’s a stone better on better ground. I swore I wouldn’t run him on soft but there was nothing else for him,” Murphy said.

“Then we will look at Leopardstown over Christmas. But today was just what I wanted for him.”

Andrew McNamara, fresh from his triumph on The Listener at Down Royal on Saturday, completed a short-priced double on a pair of Edward O’Grady-trained novices yesterday but missed out on a likely treble with Catch Me’s last fence fall in the novice chase.

The 1 to 2 favourite looked to have the race secure when he crashed out and it left the prize open to the Drinmore Chase possible Oscar Looby who beat Caim Hill by a couple of lengths.

Earlier Judge Roy Bean earned quotes of 25 to 1 for Cheltenham’s Supreme Hurdle with an ultra-smooth success in the For Auction Hurdle. “He promised a lot last year but didn’t quite get there. He’s a year stronger now though and he seems to be better,” Edward O’Grady said. “The Royal Bond is a possible next, or the Barry Sandra Kelly Memorial back here.”

The 2008 Champion Hurdle runner up Osana made his first start for O’Grady a winning one in the Beginners Chase, rallying to beat Roberto Goldback and earn 10 to 1 quotes for the Arkle.

“I didn’t know much more about him than anyone else before today. I schooled him but he hadn’t really gone a gallop so I would hope he is open to a tremendous amount of improvement,” the Co Tipperary trainer said. “He will be back here on December 5th for a winners race.”

The complexion of yesterday’s other Grade Two, the Lismullen Hurdle, changed at the second last flight when the well-backed Oscar Dan Dan crashed out, leaving Aitmatov to hold Noble Prince by seven lengths. Noel Meade’s horse could attempt to repeat his 2007 triumph in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse and the former champion trainer completed a treble yesterday when the well-backed favourite Perfect Smile landed the bumper with a minimum of fuss.

Operation Houdini will return to Navan in a fortnight’s time for the Troytown Chase following an effortless success in the handicap hurdle.