'I needed that' - Eoin Walsh enjoys first win since breaking back in horror fall

A first winner since November has done wonders for the confidence of Eoin Walsh, as success on Lankaran at Wolverhampton confirmed he was back to his race-riding best after a fall at Chelmsford in November.

Walsh broke three bones – T6, T7 and T8 – in the fall which kept him off the racecourse for three months and, on his 35th mount since returning in March, he was back in winning form in the 1m½f median auction stakes.

"It's brilliant," said Walsh. "I probably needed that one. I was getting a bit frustrated with the game. I enjoy it but when you're doing all these hours and you're coming home empty handed, you just want one on the board to lift your spirits.

"I got back early March, and I've been getting my fitness levels back up. It's been a long period, so I'm very pleased. I had a fall at Lingfield not too long ago, same as when Cieren Fallon fell, and my back held up fine, so it was good to test it out."

The Roger Varian-trained Lankaran was taking a significant step forward from his debut third at Yarmouth. He was ridden prominently, led going into the final furlong, and kept on well under Walsh to deny the fast-finishing Mutawaarid.

Walsh added: "He's got lots of ability. He was very green and immature, but he'll be a nice horse and a good handicapper in time."

Seven-month wait

Dual-purpose amateur Becky Smith also ended a long drought for a winner, victory on TheResdev Way giving her a first Flat success since September.

Results, replays and analysis

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