Last-to-first Maal another for Marnane

TRAINER David Marnane is enjoying his best ever season and registered his 24th win of the campaign in Ireland when Maal came from last to first to win the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Claiming Race in Clonmel last evening.

Ridden by rising star Leigh Roche, Maal, a model of consistency this season, had plenty to do turning for home and needed strong handling inside the final furlong to peg back front-runner and chief market rival Blackwitch Woman close home to score by a half-length.

Marnane commented: “He’s been consistent all year and deserved to win another. This is the last claimer for him, so he’ll go back handicapping now. He’s settling better than in the past. We’ll probably run him over a mile and a half in Listowel and we’ll try him again in Dundalk (he ran once there last year) later on.”