Trainer Gordon Elliott and Jordan Gainford combined to win Limerick's four-day festival-opener today, the CJ Sheeran 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle, as Ludus justified 11/4 favouritism (from 7/2).

Having his third hurdles start, the son of New Approach raced with the pace throughout and beat runner-up Paradise Lost by two and a quarter lengths.

Elliott was at Leopardstown and afterwards his assistant Ian 'Busty' Amond reported “he gave him a good ride from the front, he had them all stacked up and the horse stayed at it well.

“He is a grand horse, is improving away with his runs and it grand to get a win under his belt. There will still be plenty improvement as Jordan said he was green enough when he was in front. You'd hope he could step up in grade now.

“It is good to get a winner early in the week.”