Trainer Gordon Elliott won the opening race of the Punchestown festival this year, the Howden Insurance Brokers (Mares) Novice Hurdle with the Davy Russell-ridden Party Central (9/4).

The race was Punchestown festival's first to be run in front of paying customers since 2019 and began with a cheer from the crowd, with Instit leading the field for much of the way.

Party Central, seventh in the mares' novice hurdle at Cheltenham last month, improved from behind the leaders to lead jumping the last and eventually defeated front-runner Instit by a length and a quarter.

Afterwards Elliott stated “she loves that ground and Davy gave her a great ride. He said he was happy the whole way, the one thing you don't want to do is get to the front too soon as she idles.

“The plan was to be upsides at the last but as soon as she got to the front she pulled up. She did it here before one day.

“It's a great start to the week and great for Noel and Valerie (Moran, of owners Bective Stud).”

He added “we haven't discussed going chasing yet but I can't see why she won't jump a fence. She's a nice mare and I'd say ground is a big key to her, she just doesn't like real depths of winter heavy ground.

“On the heavy sand at home she's not impressive but when you get her on a nicer surface she's good.”

Quotes from Gary Carson