Limerick trainer Eric McNamara wins for the Preachers Syndicate-owned L'Evangeliste

ERIC McNamara landed a short-price winner as the Preachers Syndicate-owned L'Evangeliste took the two and a half-mile rated novice hurdle at Fairyhouse on Saturday.

An even money favourite to follow up on his recent maiden hurdle success at Galway, the five-year-old made all the running and held the challenge of Paul Nolan’s Gin Tonic by a length and a half under Sean Flanagan.

Elsewhere, entries for the seven Grade 1 races taking place at both Limerick and Leopardstown this Christmas have been released.

READ MORE: Former Limerick and Galway hurling stars team up for big race success

At Limerick on Sunday, December 28, the Grade 1 Guinness 00 Faugheen Novice Chase will feature Final Demand, twice a Grade 1 winning hurdler who looked a natural on his first run over fences at Navan in November for Willie Mullins who has nine others engaged in the 2m 5f showpiece.

The aforementioned Romeo Coolio, trained by Gordon Elliott, also has the Limerick race as an option along with the Grade 1 at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day over half a mile shorter.
 
Keen to gatecrash the established order, however, will be Oscars Brother, trained by young Tipperary-based trainer Connor King. His stable star was a Grade 2 winner on his latest start, the Boodles Florida Pearl Novice Chase at Punchestown in November.

Upcoming Fixtures

Clonmel – Tuesday, December 2 (First race 12.05pm)

Dundalk – Wednesday, December 3 (First race 2.50pm)

Dundalk – Friday, December 5 (First race 5.30pm)

Navan – Saturday, December 6 (First race 11.30am)

Cork – Sunday, December 7 (First race 12 noon)