Racing Post Long Distance Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 6m 14.04s

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Selected odds by:

Better Days Ahead^t³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D J Gilligan| T: G Elliott| D

10/11

Point/bumper winner who reached a smart level over hurdles, landing the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham in March. Claimed the notable scalp of Slade Steel when making a winning chase debut over 20.7f at Navan and he possesses the potential to take high rank in the 2½m-3m novice division this winter.

Form: 14213-1

Buddy One⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: J G Gilligan| T: P J Gilligan| D

11/1

Smart hurdler who made the frame in top stayers' events at the big festivals during the spring. Landed the odds in a 3-runner affair at Galway (22.5f, good to soft) on debut in this sphere in October but has come up short in listed events the last twice. Looks up against it.

Form: 424-134

Croke Park²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| D

7/2

Fell short at the highest level over hurdles but belied odds of 22/1 when making all in the 5-runner Drinmore at Fairyhouse (2½m, good) at the beginning of this month. Had the run of the race that day but open to further improvement nonetheless.

Form: 117P-11

Stellar Story^p³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: K M Donoghue| T: G Elliott| D

11/4

Smart performer over hurdles, winner of the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham in March, and landed the odds when making a winning chase debut in the Florida Pearl at Punchestown (24.2f, soft) last month, all out to hold on. Open to improvement.

Form: 32414-1

Forecasts

Better Days Ahead (10/11), Stellar Story (11/4), Croke Park (7/2), Buddy One (11/1)

BETTER DAYS AHEAD claimed the notable scalp of Slade Steel in making a successful switch to chasing at Navan on his reappearance and appeals as the sort to take high rank in the 2½m-3m novice division this winter, so he's narrowly preferred to his stablemate Croke Park, who held on gamely to land the Drinmore at the beginning of the month. Stellar Story was hardly impressive in landing the odds in the Florida Pearl but is surely capable of a good deal better.