Returning Gainford wins Limerick's opener

Jordan Gainford made a winning return from injury at Limerick today, steering the Gordon Elliott trained, well-backed Doctor Churchill to win the festival's opening Eden Capital 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.

Gainford fractured his wrist in a November 7 fall at Naas and today returned on the son of Mukhadram which was 10/1 this morning and 8/1 on the opening show, before returning 4/1.

In the race Doctor Churchill went clear after the second last and eventually stayed on well to defeat 5/4 favourite Champion Green which raced keen, by two and a half lengths.

Doctor Churchill runs in the colours of his breeder Pierce Molony and following the race Elliott's assistant Ian 'Busty' Amond reported “he had plenty experience and it stood to him against some of them. He made one little mistake but jumped well apart from that and won it well.

“He's a nice straightforward horse and will pay his way and the owners will have plenty of fun with him.

“It was good on the day that's in it to get a winner for Jordan.”