In-form Abu aiming to go one better in Munster National James Motherway is hoping for another big show from Na Trachtalai Abu in the Ladbrokes Munster National at Limerick on Sunday. The Beneficial gelding was runner-up in the €100,000 handicap chase last year and has been in fine form ahead of a return this term. He collected a big pot when winning the Midlands National at Kilbeggan in July and was third in the Kerry National at Listowel last month. Recent rain is a concern for Motherway who would like to see decent ground for the nine-year-old this weekend. “He was second in the race last year, just touched off, and he came out of Listowel well so the plan is to head there on Sunday,” said Motherway. “The better the ground the easier it makes life on him, there is no doubt about it. “He will go with a cut in it but if it went soft we would have to have a serious think, whether he would run or not. “Kilbeggan was fantastic. We were lucky, with Rachael (Blackmore on Barra) tipping up at the last, but it was nice to get a good pot out of it. “He's still in off ten stone on Sunday so he still has a very viable weight. If the ground turns up anyway good, no worse then yielding, I'd give him a big shout. “The plan is that Johnny (Burke) will come over to ride him again. I haven't spoke to him since Listowel so I'll finalise things with him during the week and we'll keep an eye on the weather.”
