Baracouda faces tough challenge at Newbury

Baracouda, who will be bidding for back-to-back wins in Saturday’s Ballymore Properties Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, looks like facing a strong challenge with both Telemoss and Crystal d’Ainay set to take their chance.

The pair fought out a thrilling finish to the John Smith’s Hurdle at Wetherby last month, with Telemoss asserting in the closing stages to beat his rival by a length and a half.

“No doubt Crystal d’Ainay will probably have improved a bit but our lad seems in great fettle and perhaps he can sneak home again,” trainer Nicky Richards told the Racing Post.

“I was delighted he got his just desserts when he won at Wetherby as he has been very consistent and I hope he can give another good account of himself.”

Baracouda is no stranger to Telemoss, though, with the 10-year-old having finished fourth to the French raider in the 2002 Stayers’ Hurdle.

“He has mixed it with the best and we will have another crack at Baracouda,” added Richards.

Crystal d’Ainay went one place better than Telemoss when coming home third in last season’s Stayers’ event, a race in which he could line-up for again. “Cheltenham is the plan but it is a long way off,” said trainer Alan King.

“He seems very well and I was pleased with his run at Wetherby. My horses weren’t quite there at that time and he will have come on for the run. But he will need to with the likes of Baracouda in there.

“We will have to wait and see whether we can beat Telemoss this time - Nicky’s horses are in great form.”