Six-year-old Croke Park brings it home for Gordon Elliott in Drinmore Novice Chase

Ewing set a slow pace, dictated matters throughout, and while he had challengers on both sides as they raced down over the last two fences, he had a willing partner who stuck his head out to prevail by a neck

Croke Park and jockey Sam Ewing after winning the Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse Racecourse in County Meath

Just five runners and a pedestrian pace may not be the ideal make-up for any race, but they led to a tremendous finish in the Grade One Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase. While the spoils went to Gordon Elliott, it was the outsider of his three runners, Croke Park, who delivered under a beautifully judged ride by Sam Ewing.

The imposing six-year-old, whose early-season promise as a hurdler tapered off quite dramatically, had made a winning chase debut at this track, but this was a huge step up in grade and one it was difficult to see him coping with.