Bonny Limerick winner to step up to Grade 1

The Noel Meade trained Bonny Kate is set to take the step up to Grade 1 level following another hurdle win at Limerick today, readily justifying 5/4 favouritism to win the Limerick Racecourse On Facebook Mares Hurdle under Ger Fox.

The winner made all the running and in the end proved five lengths too strong for Golan Road

Noel Meade was at the Curragh, but did report by phone "she never put a foot wrong, jumping brilliantly, and I am delighted for Ger.

"She's in the Grade 1 (Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final at Fairyhouse next Sunday) next week and it is likely she will take her chance. Obviously it's asking a lot three weeks in a row to run her but there's no reason not to - it's the only Grade 1 novice hurdle for mares in Ireland. After that I don't think we'll delay going chasing."

By Tom Weekes