Davy Russell was out of luck on his return to the saddle at Fairyhouse this afternoon.
The Corkman had two rides for trainer Gordon Elliott after coming out of retirement to ride for the yard after Jack Kennedy broke his leg last weekend.
But there was no return to the winners' enclosure for Russell as his two mounts, Jazy Matty and Bodhisattva, failed to threaten the judge.
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Russell rode the former in the opening Race Displays Hurdle but Jazzy Matty, nor the rest of the field, could lay a glove on runaway winner Blood Destiny (8/13f).
The winner is now the second favourite for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival after a bloodless win.
Russell's next ride came on Bodhisattva in the Philip O´Connor Memorial Handicap Hurdle.
But it was a similar story as his mount could only plug on for fourth place finish behind the impressive winner Corbetts Cross.
Russell, 43, announced his retirement from the saddle December 18 after riding Liberty Dance to victory at Thurles.
But the Youghal man answered Elliott's call after Kennedy was sidelined after a heavy fall.
He said on Thursday: "After meeting with Gordon today, I have decided to come out of retirement and ride for the short period while Jack is on the sidelines," his statement read.
"It’s only been a matter of weeks since I retired, and I actually rode more out this morning than I have in many years. We are a close team in Cullentra and after what happened last weekend, I want to help the team through a difficult few weeks. The plan is to resume riding at Fairyhouse on Saturday and Punchestown on Sunday."
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