Sparrow can wing Memorial

SUCCESSFUL in a Limerick bumper on his racecourse debut, High Sparrow will be fancied to make a winning start over hurdles in the Michael Fitzpatrick Memorial Maiden Hurdle in Punchestown tomorrow.

This Joseph O’brientrained Shantou gelding, beaten by Golden Jackpot in his only point-to-point, at Mainstown in early December, justified hefty support in a Limerick bumper at Christmas.

Having made the running, he found plenty for Tom Hamilton to beat Big Nick and Diamond Turf, which boosted the form when scoring convincingly in Navan last month.

High Sparrow looks a decent prospect and, with JJ Slevin on board, he should be tough to beat, when the obvious danger will be Kesselring, representing Willie and David Mullins.

This five-year-old was having his first run since September 2016 when, on his hurdling debut, he faded late to finish fourth to Impact Factor.

That form has been boosted by the subsequent wins of the runner-up Eagle Lion and third Gun Digger. And, 10 lengths off the placed horses, he’s entitled to improve from that run. But High Sparrow is preferred.

Gordon Elliott’s Hardline, third to Mengli Khan in the Grade 1 Royal Bond at Fairyhouse, will be a popular choice for the listed novice hurdle.

But he might be vulnerable to the progressive, Tom Taaffetrained Riders Onthe

Storm, an emphatic scorer from Spades Are Trumps at Navan last time and open to plenty of more improvement.

CARRYING A THREAT Trainer Willie Mullins

HAS A HURDLE HOPE Trainer Joseph O’brien