Baracouda better than ever, says Doumen

BARACOUDA will try to provide racing fans with some early Christmas sparkle as he bids for a fourth success in the Telectronics Long Walk Hurdle at Windsor today.

Connections of his two main challengers in the Grade One feature have both described the French raider as “very hard to beat”, and trainer Francois Doumen is not playing down his chances.

Following a successful comeback effort when taking the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury for a second time last month, Baracouda is a 1-2 chance with Ladbrokes to improve his outstanding record in a race he won in 2000, 2001 and 2003.