Big Zeb laid down an early challenge to Master Minded's dominance in the two-mile chase division with a cheeky victory in the Ladbrokes.com Fortria Chase at Navan.

Colm Murphy's charge, beaten just a head by the dual Queen Mother Champion Chase hero in the Kerrygold Champion Chase at Punchestown in April, could not have made a more impressive return to action.

Sent off the 11-10 favourite for this Grade Two event, he was ridden with extreme confidence by Barry Geraghty, who was standing in for the injured Matt O'Connor.

Made In Taipan made a bid for home at the top of the straight but Geraghty tracked him all the way and was still hard on the bridle in the last furlong, easing to the front to score by half a length without being asked a question.

William Hill and Sky Bet were suitably impressed and cut him to 6-1 from 8-1 for the Champion Chase at Cheltenham next March.

Sky Bet's Michael Shinners said: "There was plenty to like about that victory as he won pretty much as he liked.

"The most eyecatching thing was just how fluently he jumped and it was hard not to be impressed."

Winning trainer Murphy outlined future plans when he said: "We'll either go to Sandown (for the Tingle Creek) or for the John Durkan next. We'll see how he comes out of the race.

"I'd have preferred not to run him on this sort of ground but there was nothing else for him and he needed more experience over fences.

"Ground will decide where we'll go next. I think he'll be a stone better on better ground."

Aitmatov and Oscar Looby were on target to provide trainer Noel Meade and jockey Paul Carberry with a 65-1 double.

The former defied top-weight when running out a gritty winner of the Grade Two Lismullen Hurdle.

The 10-1 shot's task was made easier when closest rival Oscar Dan Dan came to grief at the second last and after safely negotiating the final obstacle, Aitmatov galloped on to score by seven lengths from favourite Noble Prince.

"That was sweet in so many ways but mainly I'm delighted for the owner John O'Meara who is unwell at the minute. He is one of my best friends and hopefully this will cheer him up," said Meade.

"He'll probably take his chance in the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse (November 29) now, he's there to be beaten on heavy ground."

Oscar Looby benefited from the last-fence fall of the odds-on Catch Me to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase.

"That's two from two over fences now and he looked an unlikely winner in both. It was great to get the win," Meade added.

"I'm not sure where we'll go next but I suppose the Drinmore is a possibility now."

Meade went on to complete a treble in the concluding Dunderry INH Flat Race with even-money favourite Perfect Smile, ridden by Nina Carberry.

"We've been very happy with this lad at home," said the trainer.

"We were a little disappointed with him the last day but he's improved an awful lot since then.

"He's a very smart sort and we'll probably go hurdling with him now."

Catch Me's trainer Edward O'Grady and jockey Andrew McNamara still managed a short-priced brace through Judge Roy Bean and Osana.

The latter, formerly trained by David Pipe, was made to work a little harder than expected when making a winning debut over fences in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.

O'Grady said: "I'm very pleased with his jumping and before today I didn't really know too much about him.

"We will come back here on December 5 for a winners of one race."

Judge Roy Bean (5-6) was a cosy winner of the "For Auction" Novice Hurdle, beating The Hurl by four and a half lengths.

"He's a much stronger and better horse this year. He has progressed well and is heading in the right direction," the trainer added.

Operation Houdini (evens) barely came out of first gear when making a winning return to the smaller obstacles in the Troytown November 22nd Handicap Hurdle.

Winning trainer Davy Fitzgerald said: "We will comeback here for the Troytown in a fortnight's time. We decided to take advantage of his hurdle rating and thankfully everything worked out well."