Baracouda impressive at Ascot

Baracouda enjoyed what amounted to an exercise canter around Ascot as he cruised to success in the PricewaterhouseCoopers Ascot Hurdle today.

Owner JP McManus made the trip across the Irish Sea to watch the six-year-old run and he cannot have been disappointed by what he saw.

Always travelling within himself some 20 lengths off the early pace set by Kates Charm, Thierry Doumen`s mount loomed up behind the leaders on the home turn and sped clear on the run-in to beat a rejuvenated Hors La Loi III by nine lengths.

Rodock, the subject of considerable interest in the betting ring, had not really been put into the race and was going well when falling at the third-last flight.

It may not have been the strongest of races but Francois Doumen`s charge, who was making his first appearance for 210 days, hurdled fluently throughout and showed a fine turn of foot to go clear inside the final 150 yards.

His rider certainly seemed pleased enough.

'As always, he was a pleasure to ride, he never made a mistake all the way round,' said Doumen jnr. 'They are actually making quite a print out there so the ground was never going to be a problem.

'We actually went quite fast so I knew they were going to come back to me whether he won or not. He has a wonderful stride and he uses it.

'I didn`t want to hit the front too soon but when I asked he went right away.

'He obviously likes Ascot so there is no reason to think that he won`t come back here for the Long Walk Hurdle (on December 21st).'

McManus confirmed that a return to the track was on the cards.

'That was a very pleasing comeback and he won in the way I hoped he would,' McManus said. 'Down the road the aim is the Stayers` Hurdle and that is the race that matters the most this season.'

Coral make him the even-money favourite (from 7-4) for that race with the Christy Roche trained Bannow Bay next at 6-1.

Gola Supreme followed in the hoofprints of his stablemate when winning the Forest Mere Novices` Hurdle.

The three-mile contest had fallen 12 months ago to top novice chase prospect Gola Cher and Alan King, the trainer of both horses, is hoping that Gola Supreme has an equally-bright future over fences.

'They are not related but they both came from the same farm in Ireland and I have always thought that they will both be good horses,' King said.

El Viejo made an impressive debut over timber when taking the opening Evelyn Hankinson Novices` Hurdle.

Redemption is another horse who has a return trip to Ascot on the cards after he took the Allied Irish Bank Handicap Chase.

Paul Webber`s six-year-old is now to be aimed at the Victor Chandler Handicap Chase in January.