Trainer Tony Martin enjoyed a welcome winner at Cork today, when his Royal County Star provided jockey Davy Russell with a winner on his own return to race-riding in the Cork Racecourse Mallow Handicap Hurdle, following a fall at the Punchestown Festival on May 2.

Martin has endured a torrid time with his horses recently, losing star performers Clarrified, Robin Du Bois and Drumconvis while Royal County Star himself was disqualified following a win at Navan two runs ago, after a prohibited sunstance was discovered in his system.

Russell, meanwhile has been out of action since Tharawaat fell at the final flight in the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.

Martin was absent, with a runner at Aintree.