No winner for Gordon Elliott on his return to horse racing

The leading Irish trainer was banned for 12 months, with half of that punishment suspended, after an image of him sitting on a dead horse was widely circulated on social media in March.

Trainer Gordon Elliott (right) speaks with jockey Declan McDonogh prior to the start of the Donate To The Coast To The Curragh Cycle In Honour Of Pat Smullen Handicap at Punchestown

Gordon Elliott’s return as the licenced trainer at Cullentra House Stables began on a quiet note as his first runner, Oh Purple Reign, failed to figure in the Donate To The Coast To The Curragh Cycle In Honour Of Pat Smullen Handicap at Punchestown.

Elliott’s sole runner at the meeting, a last-time-out winner for Cullentra’s temporary licence holder Denise Foster, was well backed, into 9-2, but trailed in 12th of the 14 runners.