Open Eagle could look to follow in the hoofprints of illustrious stable companion Faugheen by winning the the Kirkland Investments Novice Hurdle at Limerick on December 29.
Open Eagle could look to follow in the hoofprints of illustrious stable companion Faugheen by winning the the Kirkland Investments Novice Hurdle at Limerick on December 29.
Faugheen was an emphatic winner of the three-mile contest two years ago before going on to win that season's Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and this year's Champion Hurdle.
Open Eagle, snapped up by the Supreme Horse Racing Club and sent to Willie Mullins after a demolition job in last year's November Handicap at Doncaster for David O'Meara, disappointed on his hurdling debut at Punchestown in February, but righted that wrong on his seasonal reappearance at Fairyhouse last month.
Steve Massey, who manages the club, said: " We felt going to Fairyhouse Open Eagle was a much better horse than he was when he arrived at the yard a year ago and he proved it with a really smart performance.
"He has an entry in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown over two miles (December 27), but will also have the option of stepping up to three miles at Limerick on December 29.
"As things stand, I think Limerick is probably where he'll end up, going for a race Willie won with Faugheen a couple of years ago."