Zeb and Europe set for Tied Cottage clash

THE last two Champion Chase winners, Big Zeb and Sizing Europe, will face only one other rival in Sunday's Boylesports.com Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown.

The pair - set to clash for the fifth time - scared off all bar Imperial Shabra, rated more than 4st inferior to the star 2m chasers, at Friday's final declaration stage.

With Barry Geraghty booked to ride at Musselburgh, Robbie Power looks set to retain the partnership with Big Zeb, who he has ridden to two wins this term including the Grade 1 Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting.

Sunday's card at Punchestown also features the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle, for which six have been declared including the Willie Mullins-trained Simenon.

The going at Punchestown is described as heavy and frost covers have been in place since last Tuesday.