Walsh back in the winners

Jockey back from injury to start on the winning trail again

Last updated: 14th December 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Walsh back in the winners

Walsh: Back with a win

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Ruby Walsh grabbed a first win since returning to the saddle from injury as Scotsirish ran away with the O'Connell Logistics Hilly Way Chase at Cork.

Walsh has been on the sidelines for a month after rupturing his spleen in a fall at Cheltenham last month - and he only climbed back in the saddle professionally on Friday.

The Irishman enjoyed a superb booster on Sunday though, with Scotsirish powering away with the Grade Two contest at Cork.

Willie Mullins' charge always travelled well, and a good jump at the second last sent Walsh into the lead ahead of Newmill.

After Wanango took a heavy fall at the last, Scotsirish was free to gallop away with a commanding 16-length.

Three miles

"He didn't get three miles the last day in Thurles," said Walsh. "He stays two and a half miles well on good ground, but the two miles on testing ground seemed to suit him very well.

"The Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas might come a bit soon, but we'll see how he comes out of this first.

"There are plenty of options in two-mile races like the Norman Groves Chase at Fairyhouse in January and the Woodlands Chase at Navan."

Mullins had only just finished celebrating - as less than an hour earlier he landed a Grade One at Navan with Mikael D'Haguenet.