Ruby Walsh guided Mon Parrain to an easy win at Sandown

Ruby Walsh has won his first race since returning from injury, just in time for next week's Cheltenham Festival.

Walsh rode Mon Parrain to a comfortable win at Sandown Park, but played down the significance of the result.

"It doesn't matter who you are, if you are not on the best horses you can't win," Walsh told BBC Radio 5 live.

Walsh, who returned on 4 March after breaking his leg in November, is to ride among others Master Minded, Big Buck's and Kauto Star at Cheltenham.

The win, which comes just three days after he suffered a bruised eye following a heavy fall in Ireland, is a timely one for Walsh, who has been top jockey at Cheltenham for five of the last seven runnings of the Festival.

"It is a relief but I have not ridden many I should have won on," he added.

The Irishman broke the tibia and fibula in his right leg in November, having 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.

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