ROYAL RETURN FOR JIMMY Jimmy McCarthy was today handed back the ride on Hulysse Royal, whom he was controversially 'jocked off' last weekend.Norman Williamson took his place on board the gelding, reportedly at the insistence of the owners, for the #100,000 Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury eight days ago in which he finished ninth.But McCarthy, stable-jockey to the six-year-old`s trainer Oliver Sherwood, will partner Hulysse Royal as he goes on a recovery mission in the two-and-a-half-mile Collins Stewart National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell tomorrow.Sherwood would not comment on the change of riders but hopes his Champion Hurdle entry goes close tomorrow, when he will be receiving just 8lb from French raider Baracouda - officially rated the top hurdler in Europe.'Baracouda is in the field but we are not going to Fontwell for the fresh air,' Sherwood said.'Hulysse Royal was possibly unsuited by the very soft ground at Newbury - we will find out tomorrow - but he probably wants further than two miles as well.'It is very unlikely he will run in the Champion Hurdle, I would think something like the Coral Cup is more likely for him at Cheltenham.'The Francois Doumen-trained Baracouda, who has headed the official hurdle rankings since his runaway win in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot last December, is warming up for the Royal & SunAlliance Novices` Hurdle at Cheltenham.Others in a field of 10 tomorrow include fellow Sun Alliance entry Concert Pianist, who is unbeaten in three races this season, plus Master Beveled, who finished second in the National Spirit last year when just four went to post.
