Walsh and Nicholls will hope for more success at Cheltenham

There was no winning return for jockey Ruby Walsh in his first race after four months out with a broken leg as he finished unplaced at Newbury on Friday.

The Irishman partnered Don't Turn Bach, trained by Paul Nicholls, in his only ride of the day.

His mount struggled a long way out and finished second-last behind The Chazer, the winner beating Alcalde by a length in the fifth race on the card.

"I felt fine, I'd have been happier if I'd have won," said Walsh.

He will have four rides at Newbury on Saturday, including on Niche Market, winner of the 2009 Irish Grand National, in the Greatwood Handicap Chase.

Walsh, 31, broke the tibia and fibula in his right leg in November in a fall at Down Royal, where he had won on dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star earlier in the day.

He had only returned to race riding in August following a four-month spell out after fracturing his arm in a fall at Aintree on Grand National day in April 2010.

Last Monday he schooled Kauto Star and two-time Festival champions Master Minded and Big Buck's as well as Aiteen Thirtythree, Definity, Al Ferof, Niche Market and Rock On Ruby later in the week at Nicholls' Ditcheat headquarters.

Walsh's return to racing is timely with the Cheltenham Festival beginning on 15 March.

In 2010, Walsh broke Pat Taaffe's record for the most career winners ridden at the Festival, and will have several leading contenders for Somerset-based champion trainer Nicholls and Irish trainer Willie Mullins.

Kauto Star won the Gold Cup under Walsh in 2007 and 2009, but failed to win a fifth consecutive King George VI Chase at Kempton in January when ridden for the first time by champion jockey Tony McCoy.

Master Minded, winner of the 2008 and 2009 Queen Mother Champion Chase, and Big Buck's - World Hurdle champion in 2009 and 2010 - are also seeking Festival hat-tricks.

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