Racing Post Long Distance Novice Chase (Grade 1)

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

1^st

Croke Park

611-10

7/2

T: G ElliottJ: Sam Ewing

Led, slow 1st and jumped right 2nd, headed after 7th, led again from 10th, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and kept on well run-in, just held on close home tchd 4/1

2^nd

Better Days Ahead

611-10

10/11f

T: G ElliottJ: D J Gilligan

Tracked leaders, 3rd after 4 out, 2nd and ridden after 2 out, no impression on winner last, kept on well closing stages, just failed op 5/6 tchd Evens

3^rd

Buddy One

711-10

11/1

T: P J GilliganJ: J G Gilligan

Tracked leaders, pushed along in rear after 4 out and no impression after 2 out, moderate 3rd at last, kept on one pace op 10/1

4^th

Stellar Story

711-10

11/4

T: G ElliottJ: K M Donoghue

Tracked leader, mistake 3rd, headway to lead after 7th, bad mistake 10th and headed, niggled along before 4 out, pushed along and no impression in 3rd after 2 out, no extra before last

Betting Breakdown

Tote Win:€4.50EX:€6.00Trifecta:€37.40SF:€7.55

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.