Local trainer Eoin McCarthy sent out his third winner of the week when Marelly stayed on in determined fashion to run out a game victor of the Racing TV Rated Novice Hurdle(in Memory of Andrew McNamara) at Limerick.

The five-year-old faced a stiff task in this better company having won an ordinary handicap at Gowran Park last time but looked an improving sort as he responded to a strong challenge in the straight before going on to win eased down.

Jockey Richie Deegan was hard at work approaching the second last, as Mark Walsh produced Splashing Out with a well timed challenge. However, despite getting upsides, the latter couldn't get in front, as Deegan found a more than willing partner.

Marelly showed that he wasn't for catching, as he lengthened well under Deegan to give McCarthy another success at a track in which he is always worth following.

Eoin McCarthy, “That was ideal for him today, two miles on that kind of ground with his rating.

“I’m delighted for the lads to have a local winner at Christmas and hopefully he can step forward again.

“We have a lovely bunch of horses at the minute and we’re lucky that a lot of them like this ground which is an asset this time of year.

“He should be a lovely horse over a fence next year.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee