Racing:Big Zeb (5-4) put a disappointing display in the Tingle Creek behind him with an impressive performance in the Grade Two Punchestown Pavilion Tied Cottage Chase.
A cosy comeback win at Navan meant he was sent off favourite for last month's Tingle Creek at Sandown, but he could only finish a well-beaten fourth behind Twist Magic.
Colm Murphy's charge travelled with much more zest on this occasion, however, and jumped accurately throughout.
Barry Geraghty oozed confidence turning for home and although odds-on favourite Golden Silver tried hard in second, Big Zeb found another gear between the final two fences to score by seven lengths.
Murphy said: "I'm delighted with that performance. He's had his problems in the past but I think we've ironed them out now.
"We'll freshen him up and then it's on to Cheltenham, it's nice to be going over there on the back of that.
"He had treatment for ringbone on his off-four and that seems to have done the trick.
"We probably shouldn't have sent him over to the Tingle Creek - I blame myself for that.
"His jumping was brilliant and we've done a lot of schooling with him at home."