Joey Elliott who broke his leg at this meeting last year made a welcome return to the winner’s enclosure after he came home in front of the Fran Murrin Memorial Maiden Hurdle aboard The Shepherd who is trained by the jockeys brother Gordon Elliott.

Winning trainer Elliott said afterwards: “I’m delighted for Joey, he works hard in the yard and he gave the horse a brilliant ride.”

“We will probably go to Perth in two weeks time for a Novice hurdle and as regards ground he’ll go on anything.”