WILL’S BRIGHT SPARK

THE Willie Mullins-trained novice Pylonthesparks might upstage Gordon Elliott’s Lieutenant Colonel in the featured Tramore Racecourse Annual Members Chase in Tramore tomorrow.

The eight-year-old has run only three times over fences, winning his beginners at Thurles in February, when beating subsequent scorer Balbir Du Mathan.

And he’s dropping in class tomorrow, having contested the four-mile National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last time – he was held up, lacked fluency and finished a never threatening fifth (beaten 35 lengths) behind stable-companion Rathvinden.

At the weights, Paul Townend’s mount faces a tough test against Lieutenant Colonel, back over fences having been pulled up in the Grade 2 hurdle won by Coquin Mans at Fairyhouse last time.

Earlier, he chased home Jezki at Leopardstown and Karalee in Cork and sets the standard.

But Lieutenant Colonel, a former Grade 1 hurdle winner, is not entirely straightforward and might not be suited by this unique terrain. So Pylonthepressure is preferred.

Henry de Bromhead’s 112-rated Aherlow, runner-up in his last three starts, should be tough to beat in the Tramore Family Fun Afternoon Maiden Hurdle.

And Luckyinmilan might be capable of completing a hat-trick for Oliver Mckiernan in the Waterford & Tramore Directors Handicap Chase.