Baracouda banker

HE gives his supporters the occasional fright but there is no doubting that Baracouda is as fine a hurdler as there has been over the last few years.

And the French superstar will be seeking to add a third Cantor Sport Long Walk Hurdle to his impressive portfolio when he tackles the Grade One event at Ascot today.

Francois Doumen’s seven-year-old sat way off the pace set by Mr Cool at this track on his latest start and it was only his class and turn of foot that saved the day, although the trainer’s jockey son Thierry could reasonably claim that he timed matters to perfection on a horse who does little once he hits the front.