Jordan Gainford made a triumphant return to horse racing last weekend following a lengthy back injury, and his comeback saw him clinch victory on Miss Gherkin (16/1) at Leopardstown.
Clever Currency seemed to have a comfortable lead for most of the two-mile handicap-hurdle, but his advantage dwindled significantly at the penultimate flight. Miss Gherkin, positioned in fifth place, demonstrated a strong finish as she approached the home bend. She navigated the bend into a promising third place and made a decisive move between horses to take the lead before the final hurdle.
With a powerful surge along the run-in, she secured a two-and-a-half-length victory at 16/1. Clever Currency put in a commendable performance to finish second at 14/1, while Gamigin (10/3f) crossed the line a length and a quarter behind in third place.
Reflecting on his win, Gainford expressed his joy at being back in action, particularly highlighting the support he received from various individuals including Gavin Egan from RACE, fitness coach Graham Harrison, Jennifer Pugh and Adrian McGoldrick.
He expressed gratitude to them all and expressed optimism about his ongoing improvement and future prospects. Gainford also shared insights from Peter Croke, the trainer, who had faith in Miss Gherkin's abilities despite some setbacks in her previous races. He praised the horse's determination and attitude during the race.
With his connection to Shark Hanlon's Hewick stable, Gainford is looking ahead to future races, including a potential ride at the Gold Cup in Cheltenham. He expressed enthusiasm about the horse's form and hoped for favourable conditions leading up to the prestigious event.