Maal finishes with flourish to take claimer

Maal gained a deserved success when chasing down Blackwitch Woman in the closing stages of the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Claiming Race at Clonmel.

Blackwitch Woman looked to have a healthy advantage as she kicked on in the straight but Leigh Roche got a good response from Maal.

The David Marnane-trained gelding finished to good effect to gain a half length success, ending a run of three second placings.

"He'll probably go back for a handicap now. He might show up in Listowel as he ran well there last year," said Marnane.

"He's very consistent. Leigh gave him a great ride. He's a very good young lad and he settled well for him today.

"He might look for something over a mile-and-a-half a he could try Dundalk again."