New Ross made light of an absence since September 2021 as he took the honours in the Carey Glass Handicap Hurdle at Thurles.

The 7/1 chance showed good fortitude on the run-in to fend off Marvel Fan (7/1) by half a length. Walnut Beach was another length away in third at 6/1.

Winning jockey JJ Slevin said: "I'm delighted as he was off the track a long time. Joseph (O'Brien) felt he was in good fettle at home and it was a good performance. He is a Thurles type of horse, two-miles on good ground, and it is great he won again."

New Ross was last seen pulled up in a Downpatrick rated novice hurdle 457 days ago.

The Raceday Stewards interviewed G.B. Noonan, rider of fifth-placed Blanketontheground concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who accepted that he was in breach of Regulation 10 and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that G.B. Noonan was in breach of both Regulation 10.3(g)(frequency) and Regulation 10.3(i)(time to respond). Having taken his previous record in this regard into account and pursuant to Regulation 10.6(a), the Raceday Stewards suspended G.B. Noonan for 11 racedays.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes