It’s good to be back, says Dylan Browne McMonagle

Dylan Browne McMonagle is looking forward to Qatar Racing British Champions Day at Ascot this weekend after making his long-awaited return to action at Roscommon on Monday.

Last year’s Irish champion Flat jockey was hospitalised after suffering a heavy fall at Bellewstown in late August and had not ridden competitively since, missing key autumn fixtures such as the Irish Champions Festival and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend.

He looked to have a good chance of making a winning comeback aboard Joseph O’Brien’s 10-11 favourite Big Cypress in the Boyle Maiden, but the three-year-old was a spent force from the home turn and finished a disappointing sixth behind Jim Bolger’s Teoest (7-4).

Browne McMonagle was also well beaten on the Willie Mullins-trained Rakki later on the card, but was nevertheless pleased to be back in the swing of things.

“It’s good to be back, it’s been a long time. It felt good,” he said.

“We’re back healthy and happy and doing what we want to be doing.

“It was a long seven weeks, but we’re back and that’s the main thing.”

The rider’s Saturday rides are set to include Highwayman, who having won the St Leger at Doncaster last month under a history-making Saffie Osborne is set to take on his elders for the first time in the Qatar Racing British Champions Long Distance Cup.

He can also be expected to be reunited with his Irish Oaks winner Johanna Walsh if she is given the green light to line up in the Qatar Racing British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.

“It’s a good weekend ahead. Hopefully we get in the winner’s enclosure soon,” the rider added.