L'Evangeliste held in high regard by Eric Mc L’Evangeliste repeated successful front-running tactics at Galway last month when taking the Close Brothers Rated Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse this afternoon. The point-to-point winner added to a Limerick bumper win earlier this year when making all in impressive fashion in a Galway maiden hurdle. The Eric McNamara-trained gelding was very strong here in the market prior to racing having been available at 3/1 overnight and was sent off the evens favourite. He jumped well in front for Sean Flanagan and had most of his rivals in trouble early in the straight. Gin Tonic kept on gamely but was ultimately beaten a length and a half, with the pair pulling all of 25 lengths clear of Maverick Mack in third. McNamara said, “He’s a lovely horse. I don’t believe that making the running is ideal for him but in his last two races there has been no pace on both days. He’s had to make the running. “I’d like to think that if he didn’t have to make the running, he’d be better. He’s a lovely straightforward horse, jumps like a buck and stays all day. “He was given a beautiful ride by Sean Flanagan. “He’s doing everything right so far, onwards and upwards. He’ll make a lovely chaser in time as well. “He might go to Limerick on St Stephen’s Day for the novice hurdle over 2m7f.” Quotes by Gary Carson
