Former Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Sir Des Champs made a successful return to action after 691 days on the sidelines, when delivered with a well-timed challenge to land the Listed Boomerang Horse & Country Store Chase yesterday afternoon at Thurles.

I think today is my weakest book of rides of the week and will be delighted to get among the winners.

Willie Mullins is currently dominating Irish National Hunt racing in a manner not seen since the days of the late Tom Dreaper.

Champion jockeys Davy Russell and Nina Carberry, along with legendary owner JP McManus, were amongst those honoured at the annual Irish National Hunt Awards on Sunday night.