FERGAL NEEDS A BARN STORMER

BARNEY DWAN is weighted to give a good account in a tricky Tuesday finale.

Last year, the Fergal O’brien-trained son of Vinnie Roe found only Presenting Percy too strong in the three-mile Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.

The eight-year-old hasn’t always looked a natural over fences but Barney Dwan is learning on the job, as evidenced by victories on his last two outings.

Having held Clondaw Clan by 15 lengths over three miles at Market Rasen before Christmas, my selection then stepped back to two and a half to beat Alzammaar by five lengths at Musselburgh at the start of last month.

Noel Fehily’s mount has the scope to progress past his rating of 143 – the perch from which he finished second 12 months ago.

The shortlist is long, with the widely touted De Plotting Shed, Divine Spear and, at longer odds, Markov all warranting a second look.