Surprise Sandown entry for Baracouda

Leading staying hurdler Baracouda is a surprise entry at Sandown on Saturday.

The winner of last season’s Bonusprint Stayers’ Hurdle and ante-post favourite for this year’s renewal has been put in the Tote Scoop6 Handicap Hurdle by French trainer Francois Doumen.

He is among 25 possibles for the £60,000-added contest over two and three-quarter miles.

Only two others hold entries in the Stayers’ Hurdle They are the Richard Phillips-trained Chopneyev and Bob Buckler’s Rum Pointer.

Baracouda is certain to head the handicap – on 11st 12lb – when the weights are announced tomorrow and quite a number of the field are likely to be below the minimum bottom weight of 10st.

Although this is the first time he has been entered for a handicap in this country – he did win one at Auteuil in May 2000 – Baracouda is no stranger to these shores.

He has raced nine times over here usually at the highest level and only lost his 100 per cent record in raids when beaten a length by Deano’s Beeno at Ascot in December.

“Foreign horses do not get a rating until they are entered for a handicap,” explained official handicapper Phil Smith today.

“Baracouda has run nine times over here so he’s qualified like any other horse and entitled to a weight.”