Bonbon Au Miel started to make up for lost time when taking the featured UCC Horse Racing Society Hurdle at Cork but only just as the odds-on favourite held on in a terrific finish.

The six-year-old gelding was the only representative for both Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh on this student raceday card, and was sent off a solid 1/2 favourite.

The French import was off the track for well over two years before making a promising start for current connections when runner-up to Hidden Cyclone at Leopardstown earlier this month, and a routine victory appeared on the cards when he drew several lengths clear after the penultimate flight.

However Lilshane threw down a powerful challenge on the run-in and, in a finish of bobbing heads, Walsh’s mount just got the verdict by a short-head.

The former Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle winner Flaxen Flare could find no extra from two out on his reappearance after a near two-year break finishing 15 lengths back in third.

Thriller! Bonbon Au Miel is a winner for Walsh and Mullins at @corkracecourse as Flaxen Flare takes third on his first start for 689 days: pic.twitter.com/pwamd3MSwu

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 23, 2017

Walsh said, "In fairness it was the second run after a layoff and I thought I was beaten. He did rally in the last 50 yards but I was full sure I was beaten. I nearly fell off him when he called '3'!

"He was so long off the track you'd be hoping he'll keep improving. He has probably run 10lbs below what he ran off at Leopardstown but he has won which is the main thing."

(TW & AM)