Mark Walsh thanked the medics who helped him get back in the Cheltenham Festival winners’ enclosure five weeks after he broke his neck.
Walsh, who is retained in Ireland by JP McManus, faced a race against time to get back for the all important meeting after taking a heavy fall at the Dublin Racing Festival in February.
He was only fit enough to return to action last weekend and he repaid his supporters when driving old-timer Sire Du Berlais to a surprise victory in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.
At the age of 11 Sire Du Berlais became the oldest winner of the long distance hurdle championship since 1986 when striking at odds of 33-1 upset on his sixth appearance at the Cheltenham Festival.
He held off 40-1 chance Dashel Drasher, favourite Teahupoo and hat-trick seeking Flooring Porter at the end of a furious finish, but second and third placings were reversed at a subsequent stewards’ inquiry because of interference.
Walsh, 36, was riding his eighth winner at the meeting and told ITV Racing: “It was a bit of a rush to get back but thankfully I got back with the help of all my surgeons, doctors and physio who patched me back together to make it this week
“I fractured a vertebra in my neck at the Dublin Racing Festival. Luckily it healed quick so I am back.”
He went on: “They went a right gallop. He travelled great the whole way. I had to work and he needs a bit of encouragement. But once he got to the hill he stuck his head down and galloped.”
Sire Du Berlais, who led a one-two for trainer Gordon Elliott, won the Pertemps Final in 2019 and 2020 and was second in the Stayers' in 2021.
McManus said: "I've not had too many 33-1 winners. This one I'm afraid went unbacked but still we will just enjoy it just the same
"We were kind of training him for the Pertemps but he came over here to qualify and for some reason he didn't run and as a result he has ended up in the Stayers' Hurdle. I thought he had a little chance."
