Racing:Ruby Walsh made a particularly disappointing return to competitive action as he finished second-last on his one ride at Newbury.
The eminent Irish jockey broke his leg in a fall at Down Royal in early November, sitting on the sidelines through a number of major races for his main trainers Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins.
After schooling Mullins' Cheltenham Festival prospects in Ireland at the start of the week, Walsh had moved on to Nicholls in Somerset to put the likes of Kauto Star and Master Minded through their paces.
Punters evidently expected Nicholls to have provided him with a comeback winner, sending Don't Turn Bach off the 2-1 favourite for the Elle Security Novices' Handicap Hurdle.
But he found very little in the home straight and trailed home a long way behind the 7-1 winner The Chazer.
"It was grand, but I can't offer an excuse for the horse, I don't know what to say," said Walsh as he walked back to the weighing room.
"I feel fine, but I'd have been happier if I'd have won."
He had been more talkative beforehand and was greeted with a warm round of applause by racegoers as he appeared for the fifth event.
"They said it would be a 12-week injury and you're always anxious about missing Cheltenham, but you have to have some hope and it's good to be back," he recalled. "There's not much you can do when you're injured, just have some physio and keep fit. My weight has been fine as I don't have a huge appetite and I've done a lot of work in the gym."
Walsh has three rides at Newbury on Saturday were he partners Grand National hope Niche Market, promising novice hurdler Rangitoto and highly rated newcomer Broomfield.