Hard slog pays off for Robbie Power as he returns from injury with a big winner

After guiding Gin On Lime to victory in the Grade 3 O'Dwyer Steel Dundrum Novice Chase, Robbie Power admitted that he had never put as much effort into regaining his fitness following injury.

However, the hard slog paid rich dividends for the rider having been sidelined since undergoing surgery on his back in May, as he made all aboard the Henry de Bromhead-trained Gin On Lime to make a dream return to the saddle.

The winner's performance sparked talk of a trip to the Cheltenham November meeting, with De Bromhead eyeing bigger targets with his rapidly progressive mare.

Power said: "That's what I've been fighting for, to get back for horses like that. I've been riding out for three weeks and I've been working hard on my fitness. I don't think I've ever put as much effort into being fit to come back and I feel great."

Of Gin On Lime, he added: "I thought that, on her run in Galway and getting 7lb, she would reverse places with [runner-up] Fan De Blues, but I didn't for one minute think it would be that easy. She is probably a shade better going left-handed as well.

"She's a brilliant jumper and so quick through the air too. She puts a lot of novices under pressure with the way she jumps. That's probably her best performance so far and there is a lot to look forward to."

De Bromhead also sent out She Tops The Lot to win the following 2m1f handicap chase and complete an across-the-card treble following Dancing On My Own's pleasing return at Killarney.

Revealing plans for Gin On Lime, the trainer said: "I think two and a half miles is more her trip. We could look at the two-and-a-half-mile novice at Cheltenham in November and maybe put her away after that."

Mullins on a roll

Danny Mullins had also marked his return from a spell on the sidelines with a victory aboard Royal Rendezvous in the Gowran Park feature on Saturday, and he was also on hand to steer home Galway Hurdle winner Saldier in the Grade 3 Horse & Jockey Hurdle on this card.

Saldier: the Galway Hurdle winner was back on his game againCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

A former Grade 1 winner, Saldier made light work of the opposition, with the only real scare coming when he left his hind legs in the second-last.

Even allowing for that minor error, Mullins revealed that he never felt a moment's worry aboard Saldier, trained by his uncle Willie.

He said: "It was a good performance and I suppose he was entitled to do that. It was always going to be a competitive race, but the fitness edge was a help to him.

"He was a bit fiddly at the second-last, but three strides later he picked up again. He's shown a good spark and hopefully he can go on. He once promised to be a real good horse so hopefully he can make steps back towards that."

Saldier was completing an opening-race double for the champion trainer after Purple Mountain provided Mullins with his sixth success since 2015 in the Grade 3 Joe Mac Novice Hurdle.

Winning rider Sean O'Keeffe said: "I felt I was coming with a nice run and, with a good jump at the last, that I'd win. She was good and brave over the last two.

"She travelled well and, when I got stuck into her, she found plenty. She'll have no trouble staying two and a half miles."

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