LAST UPDATE | 15 hrs ago

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.”

Two Grade One wins on the bounce for Croke Park 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/EQbwpXN3V5

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 26, 2024

Hello Neighbour made a winning start to his jumping career in the O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle at the Christmas Festival in Leopardstown. 

Two from two on the Flat after scoring at Navan and Roscommon, Gavin Cromwell’s three-year-old was the 9-4 favourite to make a successful switch to obstacles and looked to travel well for much of the Grade Two contest in the hands of Keith Donoghue.

As the leaders emerged from the gathering fog on the run-in, Hello Neighbour held a narrow advantage over Lady Vega Allen and while the latter was finishing the stronger, Cromwell’s runner clung on in a thriller by a short head.

Paddy Power cut Hello Neighbour to 5-1 from 10-1 for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

👀 We didn't see much of it, but a winning start for Hello Neighbour over hurdles, plundering G2 honours in the process at @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/0YrxydUv4U

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 26, 2024

Cromwell said: “That was great. It was a brave call to come here on his first start (over hurdles) and thankfully he hung on.

“He was keen in snatches in the race and because of that he didn’t jump as well as he can do.

“I think when he learns to settle better in races he’ll be better again. It’s a good result.”

Meanwhile, Henry de Bromhead’s The Big Westerner made a successful step up to Grade 2 racing in Limerick by capturing the Lyons Of Limerick Jaguar Land Rover Novice Hurdle. After landing a maiden hurdle in Punchestown last month, the exciting mare made it two from two over hurdles today across all three cards.

With Darragh O’Keeffe on board, she took control over the final fence and stormed home land a fourth victory over the day for de Bromhead.

😍 Exciting prospect - The Big Westerner remains unbeaten, landing G2 honours at @LimerickRaces

An across-the-card four-timer for @HenrydeBromhead pic.twitter.com/XFfeaA9clT

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 26, 2024

Written by Press Association and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.