It was the outsider of Gordon Elliott’s trio that triumphed in the 2m4f Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse on Sunday, as Croke Park denied Heart Wood by a neck.

Successful in a beginners' chase at the same course in early November, the Gigginstown Stud-owned gelding made all under jockey Sam Ewing, producing a mixed jumping display with a mistake at the ninth fence. He rallied well against the challenge of Henry de Bromhead's Heart Wood, holding off the opposition by a neck with evens favourite Firefox a further short head back in third.

In an interview with RTE, Elliott said: "That was brilliant. The horse probably won an average enough beginners' chase here the last day and I didn't know if the form was good enough, but that's why I run them in the races.

"Sometimes people say I shouldn't run as many, but if you're not in you can't win and that's what racing is about. This lad was 22-1.

"Sam gave him a great ride. Those are the races you want to see, there were four or five of them within a couple of lengths jumping the last. They went steady but it was a great race.

"I thought Henry's horse would make it, to be honest, and Sam would sit second.

"With those jockeys, if you are telling them what to do going out you are telling them wrong. I just leave them to themselves.

"The three horses ran great races. Firefox was only beaten a neck and a short head and Shecouldbeanything was only beaten a couple of lengths.

"On another day any of the horses could have won it. Mark Walsh was coming fast at the line.

"Croke Park has been disappointing up until now to be honest. He wasn't cheap but thankfully he's got his Grade One now, so we're happy."

Paddy Power cut Croke Park dramatically from 50/1 to 16/1 for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.