Venitien De Mai clung on from the renewed challenge of Positive Approach to land the spoils in the opening maiden hurdle at Limerick this afternoon.

It all looked to be going to plan for the strongly supported 2/5 favourite (from 1/2) as he hit the front going to the second last in the 2m5f contest.

Andrew Lynch appeared to have things in control as the pair approached the last but Positive Approach rallied gamely on the run-in and Jim Dreaper's charge was all out at the line to secure a neck victory.

The winner was gaining a deserved success having been placed on his previous four outings over hurdles.

Lynch was taking the ride with owner Alan Pott's retained jockey Johnny Burke in Uttoxeter to ride Goonyella for the yard and he said afterwards:-

""He hated the ground and was getting stuck in it but his class got him through it.

"He'll make a nice chaser for next year."

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)