An Marcach gained a deserved success in the Fethard Handicap Chase at Clonmel this afternoon.

Des Donovan 's charge had been placed on his last four outings and opened his account on his 18th career outing today.

Rachael Blackmore had the Milan gelding handy throughout and moved up to dispute going to the second last fence in the two-and-a-half mile contest.

The 7/2 shot grabbed a narrow lead before the final fence and stayed on well in the closing stages to post a length-and-three-quarters victory over Rock On Barney

Donovan said:- “We’ve been waiting a long time for that one and he’ll get a bit further.

“Rachael said he wasn’t in love with the ground and on looser ground he’d gallop away through it.

“He’s owned and bred by Tom Egan so he’ll be happy with that. We’ll see what the ground is like before we decide what to do next.

“He’s just learning the job and will be a better horse next year up in trip.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)