JOHN Ryan’s whirlwind start to the season continued as he produced Donacheady Gale in rare order on his return from 618 days off to land the FBD Maiden Hurdle over two and a quarter miles.

A Down Royal bumper winner and placed at Listowel on his only two starts prior to this, the John Devine-owned gelding was backed from as big as 22/1 into 8/1 in the minutes beforehand and he ran out an ultimately resounding winner. However, disaster could easily have struck at the first flight which he overjumped and Robbie Power did well to keep the partnership intact.