Meade quartet on National service Noel Meade appears to hold a strong hand in the Ladbrokes Munster National at Limerick on Sunday when saddling four runners. The progressive Bose Ikard makes his handicap debut in the 100,000 euro contest, with Ruby Wash an eyecatching booking for the novice. The six-year-old gelding looked unlucky not to complete a four-timer at Clonmel on his last start, when a slow jump at the last halted his momentum, and Meade believes he could be well treated for his first handicap over fences. He said: "I thought he should have won the last day. He's gone up 9lb for that so he's 9lb well in, which is a big bonus, and Ruby riding is another bonus. "He's still a very young horse and hasn't much experience but he jumps well, touch-wood, and likes goodish ground." Meade also saddles two horses for leading owner JP McManus and Paul Carberry has stuck by Tom Horn, who bounced back to winning ways in a conditions event at Sligo. Galway scorer Please Talk was a decent second when returning to handicap company at Listowel last month but had finished second behind Bose Ikard at Roscommon in August. Meade said: "Tom Horn also likes the good ground and came back to form the other day. I was disappointed that he went up in the ratings for that and unfortunately he carries a penalty here. "Paul has stayed loyal to him as he said he gave him a good feel the last day. He has the experience, which is a help in a race like this. "You would have to say Please Talk has a few lengths to find with Bose Ikard but, having said that, we've been happy with the way things have been going with him. "He beat the rest well last time, although he was well beaten himself, and the further they go the better for him. He's a horse that stays really well and could even go four miles in time." Protaras completes the quartet and while Meade agrees that he looks the outsider of his four, he feels the seven-year-old is capable of a big show on his best form. He said: "On a good day he can do anything, but he's a bit undependable. If he jumps and gets into a nice rhythm he's capable of running well. He loves the fast ground." Irish National runner-up Golden Wonder tops the weight in the three-mile event and comes here having sidestepped the Kerry National because of the going. Shanpallas, who was third when heavily backed in the Kerry National, will bid for compensation, while connections of Usuel Smurfer are hoping for a better show after he disappointed when a leading contender at Listowel. Usuel Smurfer's owner Barry Connell hopes the more galloping nature of Limerick will better suit the six-year-old. "He couldn't get into a rhythm the last day, it was a tight track and I don't think he enjoyed it," said Connell. "The time before at Fairyhouse he was able to jump and gallop away. I'm hoping the fact that Limerick is a bit like Fairyhouse will help him. If he gets into a rhythm I'm sure he'll run a big race. "He's high enough in the weights, so I just hope the handicapper is right. He is young enough, so I hope he keeps progressing."
