Better Days Ahead too sharp for Slade Steel at Navan

Better Days Ahead came out on top from Slade Steel in what is likely to prove an informative Race And Stay Irish EBF Beginners Chase at Navan.

Both were winners at the Cheltenham Festival in March – Better Days Ahead in the Martin Pipe and Slade Steel in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – and both were making their debut over the larger obstacles.

It was Better Days Ahead (2-1) who set out to make it in the hands of Jack Kennedy and Slade Steel was never able to really get to him.

Gordon Elliott’s six-year-old finished last season with third place in Grade One company, as had Slade Steel, and started this campaign in perfect fashion, triumphing by four lengths from Henry de Bromhead’s charge, who was sent off the 1-2 favourite.

Elliott said: “We bought him off Warren Ewing a couple of years ago and bought him to be a big chaser. He looks like a chaser.

“It has been a slow burner to where we are getting with these horses. Noel and Valerie (Moran, Bective Stud) are massive supporters of Cullentra and they have invested a lot of money in racing. They are getting their dividends now.

“It takes time to get where we are and to get winners for them in Navan, their local track, is like a dream come true. I’m absolutely delighted for them and this is a special weekend.

“Obviously, he is entered in the Drinmore – that might just come a bit too soon. We will look at something probably around Christmas.

“He is a Martin Pipe winner and it is a race that good horses come out of.”

Noel Moran said: “He was our first Cheltenham (Festival) winner.

“He did it very well today now, his jumping was very good apart from the first couple.

“It is always great to have a local winner here, so we have had a fantastic weekend and can’t complain.”