Better Times Ahead relished the step up in trip when taking the valuable Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Handicap Chase Final in convincing style at Navan.

The JP McManus-owned gelding was racing from 1lb out of the handicap proper and added to a handicap hurdle win 12 months ago when stepping up here to three miles.

The 10/1 chance cruised into contention after three out and, after an awkward jump at the last, was shaken up by Simon Torrens on the run-in to get the better of Galon De Vauzelle by an easy four lengths.

Winning trainer Robert Tyner said, “He had a nice run the last day in Gowran Park, he finished fourth and it was a step forward a bit.

"He seemed to just handle conditions very well and probably handled them more than most of them. He stayed on and it was a nice pot to get.

"I had the mare (Byerley Babe) and she was a black-type mare. She was a good mare and was a little bit unlucky late in her career, she got an infection in a back leg and it just held us up when we thought we had her. These things happen.

"We’ll look at Fairyhouse or Punchestown and see what way the ground is as he does handle those conditions well."

Quotes by Michael Graham