Walsh back in business at Thurles

Ruby Walsh returned to action unscathed when third to surprise winner Sunshine Guest in the Horse And Jockey Hotel Hurdle at Thurles.

Walsh has been absent since dislocating his shoulder at Cheltenham last month but limbered up for the mount on Kauto Star in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day with a pleasing comeback in this Listed heat.

Ireland’s champion rider came home third aboard Paramount, trained by his father Ted Walsh, but the race will be remembered for the shock reverse of long-odds-on favourite Catch Me.

This should have been a routine victory for Edward O’Grady’s 2-11 shot but the game was soon up for Andrew McNamara’s mount, who was treading water before the second-last flight.

Last season’s Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle third eventually trailed home fourth behind the 25-1 winner, who took it up two out and defeated Holly Tree by eight lengths.

A stunned McNamara said: “I can’t explain it – I just don’t know what happened.”

Michael Grassick, trainer of Sunshine Guest, said: “We were mulling over either retiring her or getting her covered – we didn’t know what to do.

“But we gave her another chance on the racetrack and she stayed and jumped really well.

“We were hoping for her to finish third so this is a nice surprise.”