“This time last year I was in Portugal lying on a beach but I'm a lot happier to be here” quipped Gordon Elliott in Punchestown's winner's enclosure today, following an opening races treble.

Elliott, whose license was suspended for last year's festival, won today's opening races with Party Central and Mighty Potter before Felix Desjy completed his hat-trick in the Grade B Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle.

Ridden by jockey Jack Kennedy, recording a double, the former Grade 1 winner was produced from rear to lead in the closing stages, defeating Farout by three parts of a length.

Elliott later reported “that's brilliant, the horses are running well and we're absolutely delighted.

“He has been difficult but we've done a lot of work with him, doing different things at home lately. We decided on the last couple of runs to drop him in and Jack gave him a wonderful ride the last day (at Fairyhouse).

“When we pulled him out the last day he got too much light and stopped so he said he'd wait until late to pull him out today. You could never drop him in before but you can now, he nearly likes not getting a run and you have to ride him for a bit of luck.

“We'll have a bit of fun with him now and I'd imagine he'll probably go for the Galway Hurdle.”

Regard Kennedy he added “Jack is a world class jockey, he's after getting a good run for the last few months without injury and if we can keep him in one piece for next season he's different class.”

Quotes from Gary Carson