Croke Park best in Elliott-dominated Leopardstown feature

Croke Park narrowly denied his better-fancied stablemate Better Days Ahead in a thrilling finish to the Racing Post Long Distance Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

Just four runners went to post for the Grade One contest, with Paul Gilligan’s stable star Buddy One the only opposition to three runners for Gordon Elliott.

Better Days Ahead was the 10-11 favourite off the back of an impressive chasing debut success at Navan last month, with Stellar Story next in at 11-4 and and Croke Park third best according to the market at 7-2, despite winning the Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse last time out.

In a race run in thick fog, Croke Park and Better Days Ahead emerged clear of the other two and while Better Days Ahead was finishing the stronger, his stable companion clung on by a head.

Buddy One was 19 lengths behind in third, with Stellar Story a tailed-off last of four.

“Obviously he came from the point-to-point field. He’s a very tough horse, honest and a great jumper. We’re absolutely delighted with the performance today,” Elliott said of the winner, who is now three from three over fences.

“I couldn’t see much of the race, but it’s great to win it. To be honest he (Croke Park) disappointed me so much as a hurdler last year, we had such expectations for him but he was probably so big and weak.

“He’s come back there now and has two Grade Ones won this season so I’m delighted for connections.”

Betfair left Croke Park unchanged at 16-1 for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and there appears to every chance he will head straight there.

Elliott added: “He’s been busy enough and probably doesn’t need to run again before Cheltenham. I don’t think he wants real winter heavy ground.

“He maybe didn’t jump as well as he did the last day. Sam (Ewing) said he slipped going into the first.

“The second horse didn’t lose much in defeat either, probably more of a test will suit him. He was well up after the line.

“Even when he won the Martin Pipe in Cheltenham he looked like a real stayer. As he’s named, there will be Better Days Ahead.”