Baracouda runs at Kempton tomorrow

Baracouda, current favourite for the Bonusprint Stayers` Hurdle at Cheltenham, heads a field of nine for the Rendlesham Hurdle at Kempton tomorrow.

Doumen`s seven-year-old is a hot favourite for the Grade Two event as he continues his build up to the Festival.

He was an impressive 24-length winner of the Cantor Sport Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December but has not raced since that outing.

The three-mile-and-half-a-furlong contest will provide a good test for the Festival and Doumen reports his horse to be in good order ahead of his run.

He said: 'There is no shadow of a doubt about his form and he is in very good form himself.

'He`s behaving normally for him which is very satisfactory.'

Last year`s winner Merry Masquerade will line up in this year`s renewal for Mary Reveley who also sends out Sleeping Night in the Stg£25,000 contest.

Merry Masquerade, now an 11-year-old, was pulled up on his last outing at Wetherby and has not had the best of seasons so far.

Keith Reveley, son of the trainer, said: 'He`s not as quick as he was and he really needs heavy ground.'

Sleeping Night was a disappointing fourth behind Edredon Bleu in the Grade Two BBA Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon on his last run.

He had finished a good second to Sackville in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on his run before that and now reverts to the smaller obstacles.

'Sleeping Night is in the Gold Cup. There`s not really a lot for him to go for so we will take him down there though I am not sure he will really be suited by going right-handed,' said Reveley.

Martin Pipe will be represented by Carlovent, while Robert Alner will run Kates Charm.

Sheer Genius from the stable of Mark Pitman, Venetia Williams` Effectual, Jim Old`s Sir Talbot and Spendid from Alan King`s yard make up the field.