Church seeking Munster honours

MICHAEL Hourigan expects another bold show from Church Island (above), despite the burden of top weight, in Sunday’s Ladbrokes.com Munster National Handicap Chase at Limerick.

Second in the Irish Grand National and fourth in Sandown’s Bet365 Gold Cup at the end of last season, the 10-year-old returned to form in the Kerry National at Listowel last month after a poor run at Ffos Las.

Hourigan reports heavy rain to have fallen in the past 24 hours and that should help Church Island utilise his stamina.