Indevan gives Walsh a winner on his first ride back
RUBY WALSH made the perfect return to riding action from four months on the sidelines with victory on Rich Ricci’s Indevan in Tipperary’s Like A Butterfly Novice Chase.
Walsh had not been seen in the saddle since June 5, undergoing an operation on damaged ligaments in his right shoulder, having suffered a broken right arm when he fell from Abbyssial in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
Always handy stalking leader The Black Russian, Walsh and the 5-6 favourite were in front on landing two out and the race was soon over from there, as he ran on for a straightforward win from Silver Tassie.
Walsh said: “It’s great [to be back]. I had it decided on Friday that I was coming back today and Willie [Mullins] was good enough to let me ride this fellow.
“He travelled well, he jumped super and showed a good old turn of foot, but with the exception of Blacklough he was the best hurdle horse and he’s won like that.
“He might turn into a handicapper, but that’s basically what he is. He’s not an Arkle horse or a Grade One novice chaser.”
Of his shoulder, Walsh said: “It sounds a silly thing to say, but I’d say it’s nearly better than the one I didn’t have operated on.”
Rich Coast was a comprehensive winner of the Dolores Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle for Noel Meade and Paul Carberry.
The 8-1 shot was positioned in third for much of the two-mile journey, but moved up to challenge Macnicholson two flights from the finish and kicked clear in the straight to take the Grade Three prize by three and a half lengths.
Meade said: “He wings hurdles and today was the first time that we saw his Flat ability. A flat track seems to suit him as well and ground is important. He would not want it on the heavy side.”