Baracouda banker
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.
He will be short odds once again but there is little value to be had in opposing the Gallic machine as he goes in search of his 11th success on the bounce.
There has been a steady stream of Champion Hurdle support for Puntal and Martin Pipe’s charge will be expected to take the Gerrard Wealth Management Novices’ Hurdle to keep alive his festival dreams. He rattled up five successes in the summer with the minimum of fuss and won a valuable handicap at Market Rasen on his last start with plenty in hand.
He has done nothing but improve since joining Pipe and runs here in preference to the Ladbroke Hurdle on Saturday.
Chicuelo was a very expensive flop in the Thomas Pink Gold Cup last time but had previously looked very much on the upgrade when trotting up in a valuable Market Rasen handicap in the summer.
Martin Pipe’s six-year-old can redeem his reputation in the Fund For Epilepsy Chase.
He should be much more at home in this smaller field where his jumping will not be under as much pressure.
With the Nicky Henderson team in absolutely tip-top form following a five-timer on Wednesday, Far Horizon must be strongly fancied in the opening Mitie Group ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle.
He was hugely flattered by his proximity to Rhinestone Cowboy at Newbury on his last run but meets nothing of that calibre today.
That effort was his first outing for almost two years and provided there is no ‘bounce’ from that run he is definitely the one to beat.
