Ruby Walsh had to settle for minor honours on his return as 8/11f Hail Caesar could manage only third behind Save My Blushes in the Owen Dervin & Sons Hurdle at Roscommon.
Kielan Woods made all on the winner and always had too many guns for his rivals, staying on strongly in the closing stages to score by five-and-a-half lengths from Lady Samphire
Hail Caesar, who raced keenly behind the leader, failed to pick up when asked two out and could only keep on one pace.
Walsh was glad to be back in action after sitting on the sidelines for over four months.
The champion suffered a broken arm when falling from Celestial Halo in the Aintree Hurdle at Liverpool on Grand National day in April.
"The horse was too keen. It would have been better to drop him out or go on. But it's good to be back," said Walsh.
"It was fairly serious breaking my humerus in three places - it's not a good injury. But I'm getting used to dealing with frustration."
Winning trainer Paul Flynn was pleasantly surprised with the victory and now intends to send his mount over fences.
"He was out for a good while and I thought he might need the run. He had a good pipe opener last week in the Ladies race," said Flynn.
"He jumps savagely well and he'll probably go for a beginners chase. He's for sale and we own him ourselves so if anyone wants to buy him get in contact!
"He likes a cut in the ground and has got a lot stronger. He could turn into a decent horse. I wasn't expecting him to win but he was fitter than I thought."
