Racing Post Long Distance Novice Chase |
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| Grade 1, Leopardstown 14:20 €100,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 3m 100y, Class 1  |
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1 Croke Park 7/2
2
Better Days Ahead 10/11F
3
Buddy One 11/1
4 ran Distances: hd, 19l, 26l
Time: 6m 14.04s (slow by 3.04s)
It's another Grade 1 win for Croke Park who takes the @RacingPost Long Distance Novice Chase 🏇@gelliott_racing will have enjoyed that!pic.twitter.com/TYlABA6xET
— Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) December 26, 2024
In a thrilling finish, Croke Park narrowly denied his better-fancied stablemate Better Days Ahead, showcasing a gutsy performance. The Grade One contest saw just four runners, with Paul Gilligan’s Buddy One as the only opposition to three entries from Gordon Elliott's yard.
Despite being third-favourite at 7-2, Croke Park had already shown his mettle by winning the Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse. Better Days Ahead, the 10-11 favourite, had impressed in his chasing debut success at Navan last month. Stellar Story, another Elliott runner, was next in at 11-4. The race, run in thick fog, saw Croke Park and Better Days Ahead emerge clear of the other two, setting the stage for an intense showdown.
While Better Days Ahead finished the stronger, Croke Park clung on by a head to secure victory. Buddy One trailed in third, 19 lengths behind, and Stellar Story finished a tailed-off last of four.
Elliott praised Croke Park, stating, “He’s a very tough horse, honest and a great jumper. We’re absolutely delighted with the performance today.” Reflecting on Croke Park’s disappointing hurdling season last year, Elliott added, “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.”
Croke Park remains unchanged at 16-1 for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, with every chance he will head straight there. Elliott noted, “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.”
Better Days Ahead, although defeated, showed promise and Elliott believes a more testing race will suit him. “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.”
Racing Post Long Distance Novice Chase
3m 100y, €100,000 guaranteed
4 ran
Going: Good to Yielding, Yielding in places
POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 Croke Park 6 11-10 Gordon Elliott Sam Ewing 7/2
2 hd Better Days Ahead 6 11-10 Gordon Elliott Danny Gilligan 10/11F
3 19 Buddy One 7 11-10 Paul John Gilligan Jack G Gilligan 11/1
4 26 Stellar Story 7 11-10 Gordon Elliott Keith Donoghue 11/4
