FONTWELL OPTION FOR BARACOUDA

Baracouda was among the entries revealed today for next Monday`s Collins Stewart National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell.

The 21-strong entry for the stg£20,000 event also includes Paul Nicholls` classy novices, Ask The Natives and Valley Henry and 1999 Triumph Hurdle hero Katarino, who was a short-priced favourite when beaten in this contest 12 months ago before finishing seventh in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle.

Baracouda may be forced to bypass an engagement at Warwick on Saturday with the course currently under water and trainer Francois Doumen confirmed that the gelding was in the Fontwell race in case Warwick was washed out.

'I only learned this morning about the problems and managed to enter Baracouda for the other race at the last minute,' he said.

'I haven`t given much thought yet to what we will do - I will wait until we no more about the prospects of racing at Warwick.

'But I`m sure going to Fontwell wouldn`t be a problem and the ground is likely to be much better there.

'Having said that I`m not desperate to give Baracouda a race and he could easily go to Cheltenham without another run.'

Doumen is still unable to confirm Baracouda`s Cheltenham target. The horse, bought by JP McManus early in the new year, is in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices` Hurdle and the Stayers` Hurdle.

Baracouda is rated an odds-on chance by bookmakers for the former race and the trainer said: 'I`ve always said the novices` race is more likely but nothing`s been decided yet.'

Doumen also reported himself perfectly satisfied with the Tote Gold Cup favourite First Gold after his shock defeat at Newbury last Saturday.

'He`s come back perfectly pleasantly and he`s ready for the Gold Cup now,' he said.