Gainford back with a bang on Shecouldbeanything

Jordan Gainford made the perfect return from injury when winning the opening race of the Punchestown Festival aboard Shecouldbeanything

The six-year-old mare was never far away from the pace-setting Still Ciel and hugged the rail as she made headway rounding the home bend.

Gainford angled her out straightening for home and the Malinas mare came to tackle Still Ciel over the last.

She hit the front upon touching down on the run-in of this extended two mile Listed mares' novice hurdle and began to move clear in the final 150 yards.

The 7/2 favourite opened up by four and a-quarter lengths from runner-up The Model Kingdom (9/2). Walk With Paul emerged with credit in third at 10/1.

This was a third career success for Shecouldbeanything to go with a mares' bumper and a mares' maiden hurdle both at Limerick.

She was last seen finishing sixth in the Grade 2 Jack De Bromhead Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Gordon Elliott said: “She’s a good mare. She ran well in Cheltenham, probably did plenty and was keen enough so we said we’d have one run going to the last.

“I’m very happy and it’s Jordan’s first ride back as well so it’s great.

“She has a great attitude and she will definitely jump a fence. She won a point-to-point and winged from fence to fence so she will be grand.

“We’ll give her a break now.”

Gainford added: "Glad to be back! It was a bit of time off but we are here in one piece now and feeling great.

"It is great for Gordon and all the connections and staff to have one early in the week.

"Shane (Fitzgerald on Still Ciel) set a nice gallop in front and, in fairness, we thought my lady would run well. She was fresh on her last run in Cheltenham and ran very, very well.

"She jumped well today and the ground is lovely - a little bit slow, but it suits her.

"I said I would have one run off the bend and it worked. When she did come off the bridle at the back of the last, she really put down her head and tried. She has a lovely attitude."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee