Bonny Kate Can Complete Hat-Trick At Limerick

After the weather intervened last weekend Grand National winner Many Clouds will get his opportunity to gear up for a return to Aintree next month at Kelso on Sunday where he is expected to win the listed Premier Chase on their rescheduled meeting.

Oliver Sherwood last Saturday toyed with the idea of letting Many Clouds take up his engagement in Friday’s Gold Cup which would have added even more intrigue to the Cheltenham showpiece, however the 12/1 shot for an Aintree repeat will now stick to the plan of going to Kelso on Sunday and despite an interesting field in opposition, Many Clouds is still expected to return to winning ways.

Limerick’s Lucky Last
Considering we are a country fond of our bumpers, it was somewhat strange to see two on Saturday’s Limerick card and none on their card on Sunday.

The first of the two on Saturday is a four-year-old bumper and at a Cheltenham Preview Night in midweek Sandra Hughes gave a favourable mention for The Granson who had a nice run in a maiden hurdle on debut and with her team in such good form that could be one to follow with Johnny King booked to ride.

In the concluding winners bumper the selection is Terence O’Brien’s Articulum who won well at Naas last time out.

Prior to that he was only a length off Jessica Harrington’s New To This Town at Thurles.

New To This Town is also a subsequent winner and recently was purchased by Ann and Alan Potts for next Wednesday’s Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and Articulum looks to have the best form in the book on this occasion so gets the nod over Augustin for Willie and Patrick Mullins.

Popular Kate
Speaking of bumpers and Augusta Kate is going to attract a lot of attention in Wednesday’s Champion Bumper but prior to that at Limerick on Sunday Bonny Kate could be the one taking the spotlight.

The six-year-old steps out of handicap company and into a Grade Two mares novice chase following her impressive win in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown last time out and is picked to complete a hat-trick for Noel Meade and Sean Flanagan.

Following that Punchestown success the four-miler at Cheltenham was earmarked but connections have obviously opted to stay at home and that will prove a wise decision if she can overcome Uranna here.

*Prices correct at time of publication.