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STEPPING UP

Zabana set to be stepped up in trip

Lynch expects his seven-year-old to improve from his reappearance at Down Royal and to really show his talents over further throughout the season ahead

TRAINER Andrew Lynch is looking forward to stepping stable star Zabana up in distance following his return to action at Down Royal on Saturday.

After unseating Davy Russell at the start of the JLT Novices' Chase at last season's Cheltenham Festival, the seven-year-old rounded off his campaign with a Grade One victory over three miles at Punchestown in late April.

 Zabana (right) found the trip too short on his return
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Zabana (right) found the trip too short on his returnCredit: PA: Empics Sport

He made his first appearance since then in the two-and-a-half-mile Titanic Belfast Chase but he was well beaten in fourth place behind the impressive Sub Lieutenant.

Lynch said: "It (the trip) was just too short for him.

"He was on top of his head at halfway after making a mistake.

"He's come out of it very well and you wouldn't think he'd had a run on Saturday.

"He's a three-mile horse, and there is a race at Gowran later this month that he may go for next."

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