McCoy to make return on Baracouda
Champion jockey Tony McCoy will take the ride on Baracouda when he makes his seasonal debut in the Ballymore Properties Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury later this month.
The François Doumen-trained nine-year-old, who will be bidding for back-to-back victories in the Grade Two event on November 27, has been ridden in all his races to date by Thierry Doumen but he retired at the end of last season leaving McCoy clear for the ride.
After running at Newbury, Doumen intends to send Baracouda for the Royal Windsor Long Walk Hurdle in December, a race which has been transferred from Ascot while the track undergoes a major redevelopment.
“Tony will ride Baracouda at Newbury, that’s the plan,” Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus told The Times.
“François is very pleased with the horse, he’s in good form, and just like last winter, the Long Walk Hurdle will be next.
“I know it’s being run at Windsor this year but I’ve ridden there myself and I think it will suit Baracouda well.”
Baracouda has only been beaten twice in 14 starts in Britain, most recently when he failed in his bid to win a third Stayers’ hurdle crown at Cheltenham last March.
However, the son of Alesso is already the 5-2 favourite to regain his title this season.
