New Barn Lane can get off the mark at Tramore

The winner gave the form a nice boost when following up in a novice chase at Punchestown, while the runner-up is rated 116, officially 22lbs higher than New Barn Lane, and yet the latter could push him to two lengths off level weights.

The assessor reacted by putting the selection up 5lbs in the ratings but there are plenty of reasons to believe he remains well handicapped. Lightly-raced and, on Wexford evidence, likely to appreciate the step up in trip, he will appreciate this drop in grade and can come through late to land the spoils.

Ishan is making his seasonal debut in the Ladies Cove Handicap Chase and can make it a successful one. Sam Curling’s horse won three times over hurdles in 2023, starting on a mark of 84 at Punchestown and adding to his tally by winning off 91 and, most recently, off 104 at the Christmas festival in Limerick.

On the first of his two starts to date this year, he was far from disgraced in his midfield finish in a hot handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival, but the toll of a busy winter may have told when well beaten on his final start of the season.

It is interesting that connections are starting him back over fences and, in doing so, have the opportunity to make the most of his mark of 95, which is 16lbs lower than his hurdling mark. He picked up some chasing last year, running poorly on the first occasion but finishing runner-up on the second occasion. 

The testing ground plays to his strengths, and he can land the spoils at the expense of Tangental.