Ruby Walsh returns to action at Tipperary meet

BRIAN O'CONNOR Ruby Walsh returns to action after four months out on a Tipperary card tomorrow that also sees the hugely-popular Rebel Fitz line up in the Grade Two Istabraq Hurdle.

It is two years since Rebel Fitz was beaten at odds on in the €52,500 feature but official ratings suggest revenge is at his mercy this time, as does the impression of his own comeback at Listowel recently when Mick Winters’ star sluiced up in a flat race.

Indevan is Ruby Walsh's sole ride on his comeback from injury and the Willie Mullins trained horse can successfully concede weight all-round in the Grade Three Like-A-Butterfly Novice Chase.

There is no challenger to Sizing Europe in the weekend’s sentiment stakes though as the former two-mile champion – approaching his 13th birthday – returns to try to secure four-in-a-row in this afternoon’s PWC Champion Chase at Gowran.

Jonny Burke rides Sizing Europe for the first time in the Grade Two, and while last season's Punchestown festival success was near-fairytale stuff, hard ratings do suggest Sizing Europe has something to find with the Galway Plate hero Road To Riches.

Sizing Europe’s old partner, Andrew Lynch, can earlier have struck in the maiden hurdle aboard Akorakor.