Donacheady Gale and Robbie Power with John Ryan and groom Isabel Ryan© Photo Healy Racing
In-form John Ryan produced Donacheady Gale to win the FBD Maiden Hurdle in Ballinrobe off an absence of 618 days.
The 8/1 shot was ridden by Robbie Power and they were fortunate to keep the partnership intact after a mistake at the first when in rear.
The Kalanisi gelding warmed to his task but still had plenty on his plate as he was niggled along in fifth after jumping three out. Irish Poseidon the 11/8 favourite, stalked Gamin original throughout and eased past him travelling well on the run to the last.
At this stage, Donacheady Gale had made good headway into second but looked booked for that spot, however, the leader wandered before that hurdle and clouted it. Donacheady Gale stayed on strongly on the run-in and swept past the favourite inside the final furlong to win going away by five and a half lengths.
He landed a gamble from 22/1 on opening show right down to 8/1 and gave Ryan his seventh winner in May.
Irish Poseidon came in second and was 11 lengths in front of Gali Flight (8/1).
Ryan said: “This is probably the best horse in the yard or one of them anyway.
“Robbie gave him a class ride there considering there wasn’t a lot of schooling done with him. He said he’s the real business.
“He had a tendon injury and I’ll be sparing with him.”
Donacheady Gale won a Down Royal bumper in June 2019 and was last seen finishing third in a winners' bumper at Listowel in September that year.
Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy
