Slevin strikes on Sunshine on return

Cottesloe Sunshine battled back gamely to land a Listed success in the Billy Harney Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle at Thurles, giving jockey JJ Slevin a nice winner on his return from injury.

It was also a double on the card for trainer Joseph O'Brien, who had struck earllier with Prairie Dancer

Cottesloe Sunshine went to post 3/1 second favourite in the two-miler and was produced to lead after the second last. Beauforts Storm travelled well to press her going to the last and was driven into a narrow lead on the run-in.

The Getaway filly refused to lie down though and stuck her head back in front in the dying strides to grab a short-head victory.

It was Slevin's first ride back since fracturing his navicular bone (in his foot) in 11 places and he said:-

"Sharpness, rusty, jumping, position and everything - I found it more difficult than normal today but she is a good staying type of mare who tried hard and jumped well.

"She is a hardy lady and when the other horse passed me at the last, she stuck out her head again. Joseph is flying and this is unreal.

"I am lucky to be riding at all as initially the surgeons told me it would be a long, long time. They had even asked had I any rides for Cheltenham (in March) so I replied 'probably none', after hearing that!

"It is all down to Jennifer Pugh and Wayne and Gavin in RACE who have worked unbelievably hard to get me here and it is all down to them.

"I can't walk but I'm riding something like how I always rode."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)