THERE was no fairytale return for Gordon Elliott yesterday.
As comebacks go, however, Elliott couldn't have asked for a more low key one, which was probably just what he was looking for.
The atmosphere at Punchestown was sedate despite the doors being opened to punters for the first time since February 2020, the free admission and the handy addition of a free refreshments voucher.
That's a Tuesday afternoon in September for you.
The presence of several hundred spectators aside, the occasion was noteworthy for two things: that it was the staging, for the second year running, of the venue's only flat meeting of the season, and for the possible presence of Elliott.
The Meath trainer with the prolific wins record was finally back to work after his six month ban, reduced from 12 months, after a photograph emerged of him sitting on a dead horse.
Only one of his horses, Oh Purple Reign was a certainty to race in the third - in the Donate To The Coast To The Curragh Cycle In Honour Of Pat Smullen Handicap - at 2.30pm.
With racing enthusiasts still going through the turnstiles, the meeting started at 1.30 and at that point there was still uncertainty as to whether Elliott would make an appearance, or wait until Sligo today - he has seven horses competing - or Downpatrick on Friday.
After a chat with Ted Walsh, Jessica Harrington strolled out to the stand to watch her 11-2 shot Alizarine win on the line after an exciting finish that stirred those familiar sounds of joy and disappointment from punters, depending on their choice.
Finally, word filtered through that Elliott would be making 'a flying visit' to the course and the cameramen on site bided their time until that third race.
As the horses emerged from the stableyard and began to be paraded before the race, Elliott entered, flanked by three companions.
He admitted in recent days that he didn't venture into Summerhill, his hometown, for three months on the back of the controversy and if he was feeling anxious at first, he was back on familiar ground and quickly back into the rhythm of raceday, helping jockey Declan McDonogh into the stirrups as Oh Purple Reign entered the parade ring.
Elliott watched the race from the stand - cameras pointed towards him rather than the track - as he hoped for his first official winner since Kruzhlinin triumphed at Navan on March 6, although beforehand he played down Oh Purple Reign's chances.
As it happened, his horse never got into the race and finished third from last.
After a post-race briefing with the jockey and the horse's owners, the 43-year-old did say, “It’s great to be back racing and seeing faces that I haven’t seen in a long time...I would have obviously preferred if the horse ran a bit better, but it’s nice to be back.
'I have really missed coming racing over the last few months, so I’m looking forward to getting back into that routine again'.
And he did stay on to chat in relaxed fashion with a number of people afterwards.
It was almost 3.30pm before he headed for the exit, just over an hour after he had arrived.
While he didn't get that win to kick-start his career again, it's surely only a matter of time before they pile up for Elliott and it is business as usual once more.
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
