Walsh back in winning groove on My Sister Sarah

Ruby Walsh secured his first winner back from an injury lay-off on board 4/11 favourite My Sister Sarah at Punchestown.

This was Walsh's third ride back after a fall at Killarney in late August where he sustained bruising to his ribs and vertebrae in his back.

My Sister Sarah travelled smoothly onto the heels of Licklighter after the second-last in this two and a half mile maiden hurdle before she pounced in the home straight.

She readily tanked clear coming to the last and strode away to win easily by 10 lengths.

Licklighter came in second at 8/1 with Allora Yeats another nine and a half lengths adrift in third at 66/1.

Trainer Willie Mullins said: “It’s nice to have Ruby back and we think that mare has a future. We’ll keep her to novice races and be looking at some bigger races in time.

“She has a lovely pedigree that includes Long Run so stamina shouldn’t be any problem. Hopefully she’ll improve her hurdling. She was just losing a little ground but was good and safe.

“She is not the biggest in the world but should go on soft ground. We’ll keep her going as long as we can and maybe give her a break before the Festivals if we need to.

“It’s a good start for new clients (Barnane Stud, owners of Pretty Polly Stakes winner Urban Fox) into the yard.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee