Donacheady Gale overcomes lengthy absence to deliver at Ballinrobe

Big Debates and Phillip Enright (right) jumps the last on the way to winning the Kelly Group Handicap Hurdle. Picture: Healys

Off the track since sustaining an injury at Listowel in September 2019, Donacheady Gale continued trainer John Ryan’s tremendous start to the new season and extended his fine strike-rate in Ballinrobe when landing the opening FBD Maiden Hurdle on a card given the go-ahead at a morning inspection.

Ridden by Robbie Power, the seven-year-old Kalanisi gelding came through on the run-in to master favourite Irish Poseidon, giving Ryan his seventh success of the 2021-2022 campaign.