WATCH: It's not the Cross Country at Cheltenham, it's the Cross City in Limerick!

THEY'LL hardly be crossing the Irish Sea to compete at next week's Cheltenham Festival but that didn't discourage three sprightly horses from getting in some early morning practice runs in Limerick city this Sunday morning.

Dr Paul O'Brien, Mary Immaculate College lecturer and Limerick Leader columnist, was enjoying his Sunday constitutional stroll when he heard the sound of clip-clops.

Just your typical Sunday morning in #Limerick City pic.twitter.com/fx8c43oOPR

— Dr Paul O'Brien (@FearStairLmk) March 5, 2023

He whipped out his phone to capture three miniature ponies - completely unattended - trotting up O'Connell Street in the city.

He posted the video on line, accompanied by the words, "Just your typical Sunday morning in #Limerick City".

Dr O'Brien said he just spotted the ponies as he was walking into town. A friend of his quipped "walk of shame horses".

A knight without his armour - Limerick statue gets robbed of his sword

In the replies, another said: "Looks like they are turning right so at least they are in the correct lane."

While one posed the question: "Is this the official opening of O' Connell Street?"

On a serious note, concerns have been raised about the welfare of the three ponies.

"Unfortunate small herd of horses. So many abandoned without care," wrote one Twitter user.

Limerick Live has contacted gardai to establish if they have been contacted in relation to the ponies under the Control of Horses Act as they could injure themselves or cause an accident.