Jockey Robbie Power is hoping to keep the ride on Big Zeb in the 2012 Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.(credit:
Will Palmer)
Jockey Robbie Power is hoping to keep the ride on Big Zeb in the 2012 Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
The jockey has partnered Big Zeb to victory in his last two starts with usual partner Barry Geraghty unavailable for the ride and Power is hoping Finian's Rainbow takes up his entry in the race.
With Geraghty attached to Nicky Henderson’s yard, he would be in line to ride for him rather than Colm Murphy and Big Zeb and Power explained: "I hope Finian's Rainbow runs in the Champion Chase which would mean Barry would have to ride him.
"If Barry's not riding for Nicky Henderson then he will ride Big Zeb, but if he isn't I'm hoping I get to ride him.
"Colm has done a fantastic job keeping him right and I've had two great spins off him. He still maintains plenty of ability. He may be 11 years of age but he's still got plenty of gears.
"I can't see why he can't go back to Cheltenham and give a good account of himself again.
"He's the best two-mile chaser I've ridden. I rode Newmill as well who was a decent two-miler, but this fellow is in a different league. He's very good.”