Diakali and Ruby Walsh on their way to victory in Tipperary© Photo Healy Racing
Diakali made an impressive return from an absence of 398 days when romping home in the Grade Three Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary.
The six-year-old gelding tracked Darwins Fox in this three mile contest before easing to the front after the third last. He travelled powerfully into the home straight and was clear coming to the last which he nimbly hurdled.
The winning margin back to Thousand Stars was 10 lengths as Diakali justified 4/5 favouritism. There were three non runners from the eight due to go to post - Lean And Keen, Bayan and Rawnaq.
The winner had his four remaining opponents hard at work on the approach to the second last. Stablemate Thousand Stars (10/3 from 4/1) found plenty for Paul Townend as he tried to chase the winner down in second.
However, he was left in Diakali's wake as the leader tanked along to the final obstacle.
Trainer Willie Mullins said: "It was (a smashing performance). He had been off the track for so long. We didn't want to school him either because he is very keen. He settled well and jumped very slick I thought. He was very, very slick.
"He's very keen and he was as a flat horse. When we bought him they told us that. I have one man riding him out and he rides him on his own so I don't see much of him in the morning either!
"We were hoping that he wouldn't disgrace himself. I was hoping that if he brought his best game here that he'd win but those things don't always happen. When he was saddled up below in the stableyard I had a look at him and he looked very porky. We felt he had enough work done but he still looked like he was carrying a tummy.
"I hadn't contemplated putting him in the Galway Hurdle. Ruby said to put him in but it's very soon after his first run after being off for so long. It's not what I'd like to do but I'm going to stick him in it anyway. He is still a maiden on the flat so the amateur 1m4f maiden at Galway might be an alternative."
Regarding Thousand Stars, he said: "At the third last it looked like he'd finish fourth or fifth but he is such a professional and stayed on well."
Ruby Walsh added: "He (Diakali) is a genuine Grade One horse. The lads at home have done a great job with him. He's not that straightforward. John Codd and Niall Kelly and a few others have done a good old job with him. He has taken plenty of getting ready and they had him in really good nick today."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
