Jockey Shane Walsh made a winning return from injury at Wexford today when partnering Edward O'Grady's newcomer Slieveardagh to a surprise win in the Rocklands Service Station Maiden Hurdle.
The son of King's Theatre raced in mid-division and despite pulling quite hard, eventually had little difficulty stretching clear of his rivals on the run-in, scoring a five and a half lengths win.
Afterwards O'Grady stated “that was a pleasant surprise to win first time out! Slieveardagh jumps a fence well but I've no immediate plans.”
Walsh was riding in his first race since fracturing his heel some weeks ago and later mentioned “I've only been riding out for Edward O'Grady for one week and that's my first ride for him. That's my first winner in Ireland and my 30th racecourse winner in total - I've also ridden plenty of point to point winners in England.”
