Jockey Gareth Malone registered his seventh career success, and first of the new season, when steering American Flyer to win the Nire Valley Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel this evening.

Malone made most of the running on the son of Lord Americo but was strongly pressed entering the straight as Ontheground and Profoundly arrived with challenges.

At the second last American Flyer moved clear and while tiring on the run-in, held off Ontheground by three parts of a length.

Winning trainer Lar Byrne wasn't available for a quote.

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee