Baracouda makes seasonal appearance tomorrow

All eyes will be on Baracouda when he makes his seasonal bow in the PricewaterhouseCoopers Ascot Hurdle tomorrow.

The Francois Doumen-trained star lost just once in a novice season which produced five consecutive successes and he will be aimed at the top staying hurdle prizes this time round.

Among victories were two Grade One successes, the first a 14-length defeat of Deano`s Beano in the Long Walk Hurdle here almost a year ago.

The six-year-old then put 10 rivals to the sword over three miles at Sandown in April with Carlovent the nearest of his challengers three lengths away.

The only thing that casts slight doubts about his chances tomorrow is the trip of two and a half miles.

Baracouda ran over a similar trip at Fontwell back in February and beat Solo Mio by just a neck _ given the inferiority of the opposition his backers who backed him at 4-7 that day had every right to be concerned.

However, he was not fully wound up on that occasion and according to his trainer Baracouda has summered well and is fully prepared for tomorrow`s contest.

Those who do invest - at short odds again - will need to be patient, with Doumen`s son Thierry likely to wait until the last minute before producing the gelding, who can enhance his reputation as the best staying hurdler in Europe.

The form of the Wetherby race won by Banker Count earlier in the month points to success for Redemption in the

Allied Irish Bank Handicap Chase.

Paul Webber`s charge finished eight lengths second to the winner, who has since performed creditably when runner-up in Haydock`s Edward Hanmer Chase.

The fifth home at the West Yorkshire track was Grey Abbey who also franked the form when winning in facile fashion at Ayr last Saturday.

That points to a second course and distance success for Redemption in the two-mile event.