Easy Game and Ruby Walsh in charge at Ballybrit© Photo Healy Racing
Ruby Walsh made a triumphant return from injury with a comfortable victory on board Easy Game in the opening race of the Galway Festival.
Walsh, who had been out since breaking a leg at the Cheltenham Festival in March, got the leg up on the 5/4 favourite for this extended two mile novice hurdle.
His mount got off the mark in Killarney a couple of weeks ago and proved much too strong for his rivals in Ballybrit.
The French bred powered away from the second-last with the chasing Count Simon and Cool Colonnade off the bridle in pursuit.
A good jump at the last sealed victory for Willie Mullins by four and a quarter lengths from Count Simon (6/1).
Easy Game's stablemate Cool Colonnade (8/1) emptied in third, a further 14 lengths away.
Ruby Walsh said: "He jumped like a buck and he travelled really well. I suppose when you haven't ridden in a long time you are doubting yourself a bit in front as to how fast you are going and whether you are going too quick.
“The horse was in great order and he improved from Killarney as Paul (Townend) thought he would. He did it real well.
"He jumped super and he travelled well. It's great to be back - pressure off! It’s a relief. I’ve only had a week’s work in the last nine months and it’s great to be back. I hope I last a bit longer than a week this time!
"The leg has felt great for a long time - I had no worries about that, it was everything else I had to worry about. It has been a long enough old road. I’ve been ready for a fortnight or three weeks and this was always the target."
Willie Mullins said: “It’s great to have Ruby back. He jumped from hurdle to hurdle and climbed the hill. You are always wondering when you come to Galway whether you have a horse that will climb and he climbed. It’s a nice start to the week.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
