Gordon Elliott’s Croke Park held on to win an exhilarating Racing Publish Lengthy Distance Novice Chase in foggy circumstances on day one of many Leopardstown Christmas Pageant.
Croke Park narrowly beat 10-11 favorite and stablemate Higher Days Forward as Paul Gilligan’s Buddy One completed third.
Solely 4 went to the submit, with Elliott’s Stellar Story a tailed-off final.
Amid thick fog, which compelled a 30-minute delay to the Grade One contest, Croke Park and Higher Days Forward emerged because the frontrunners.
Regardless of a powerful end from Higher Days Forward, Croke Park clung on to win by a head, with Sam Ewing the successful jockey.
“Clearly he got here from the point-to-point subject. He is a really robust horse, sincere and a fantastic jumper. We’re completely delighted with the efficiency right now,” mentioned coach Elliott.
“I could not see a lot of the race, however it’s nice to win it. To be sincere, he [Croke Park] dissatisfied me a lot as a hurdler final yr, we had such expectations for him however he was most likely so massive and weak.
“He is come again there now and has two Grade Ones received this season so I am delighted for connections.”
Earlier, Kopek Des Bordes was a clear-cut winner for Willie and Patrick Mullins within the TRI Equestrian Maiden Hurdle with Henry de Bromhead’s Workahead claiming a dominant win within the Thorntons Recycling Maiden Hurdle.
Favorite Hey Neighbour made a successful begin to his leaping profession by securing a Grade Two success within the Juvenile Hurdle for Gavin Cromwell earlier than Shraheen received the Novice Handicap Hurdle.
