JONATHAN Burke gets some much-needed "match practice" ahead of next week's Galway Festival when he returns from over three months on the sidelines at Limerick on Thursday.

The leading Irish rider, who is retained jockey to prominent owners Ann and Alan Potts, has been off the track since suffering fractured vertebrae during a schooling session at his father Liam's yard in County Cork back in April.

He makes his comeback aboard the Henry de Bromhead-trained, and Potts-owned, Sizing Brisbane in the opening two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle - his only mount on a seven-race card.

Burke said: "I'm really excited to get back race-riding and it's nice to be coming back on one for the boss.

"I've plenty of work done. I've been going to the Sports Surgery Clinic in Santry for the last seven weeks and I'm fit and ready to go.

"I only got the all-clear (on Tuesday) so it was an anxious wait.

"I can't wait to get started again."

Burke can look forward to a strong book of rides at Ballybrit next week, including Shanahan's Turn, who will bid for back-to-back victories in the TheTote.com Galway Plate.

The jockey added: "You can't beat match practice and I'm really looking forward to next week.

"Shanahan's Turn would look to be the pick of my rides.

"I know his form hasn't been great of late, but hopefully he'll turn up in the same form he was last year.

"Bally Longford and Cavite Beta are others I'm looking forward to riding."