Colonel Yeager staged a splendid comeback after almost two years off the course when taking the scalp of odds-on favourite Moscow Flyer in the Mount Leinster Hurdle at Gowran Park yesterday.

Reappearing after 721 days, the 8 to 1 chance loomed up full of running for champion jockey-elect Ruby Walsh to shadow Moscow Flyer until taking the lead clearing the final flight which he jumped much the better to settle the issue.

"I am thrilled with that performance because the conditions of the race were against him and I would have been delighted had he been third or fourth. I'll see how he is in the morning before we make any further plans," said trainer Ted Walsh, father of the winning jockey.

"Moscow Flyer is better at two miles and probably needed the run, so he will run against Istabraq again at Leopardstown on Friday week," said the runner-up's trainer Jessica Harrington. Colonel Yeager may also take his chance in the Shell Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Micko's Dream set up a big race double for Ruby Walsh in the preceding Callan Chase when justifying favouritism for local trainer Willie Mullins.

Ferbet Junior from the Harrington stable set a decent gallop up front, but Micko's Dream was always shadowing the leader and took over two out before holding the late run of Foxchapel King from the Mouse Morris stable.