Retirement looks a formality for battling Baracouda

ON WEDNESDAY it was Moscow Flyer who passed the baton onto a new generation. Yesterday, Baracouda’s connections were left pondering a similar path after a gallant but unsuccessful bid for a third Cheltenham success.

On a day which in itself has become as controversial as anything that has happened on the storied Prestbury Park track, it was poignant to see another great champion failing to gallop beyond Father Time no matter how honourable his efforts in defeat in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

Like Moscow, Baracouda finished fifth and now his trainer Francois Doumen and owner JP McManus will take a few days to decide whether or not he will continue his distinguished career.