Champion jockey Tony McCoy will take the ride on Baracouda when he makes his seasonal debut in the Ballymore Properties Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury later this month.

BARACOUDA is set to be a surprise runner in the Tote Scoop6 Sandown Handicap Hurdle on Saturday as Francois Doumen’s champion continues his build-up to the Cheltenham Festival.

Champion jockey Tony McCoy faces a week off early in the New Year after being hit with a five-day suspension for improper riding at Cheltenham today.

Ireland’s leading Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Beef Or Salmon heads the 15 entries for the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal next month.

Limestone Lad recorded a third successive victory in the Ballymore Properties Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse today when making all the running to trounce a small but select field.