Baracouda crowned again
Baracouda retained his Stayers' Hurdle crown at Cheltenham after a pulsating clash with Iris's Gift and Limestone Lad.
The latter set off at his usual searching pace and he still had the advantage as he jumped two out but both the eventual winner and runner-up were in his slipstream waiting to pounce.
Thierry Doumen decided to make his move far earlier than 12 months ago and took up the running jumping the last before heading up the final lung-bursting hill.
He idled somewhat in the closing stages and it gave Iris's Gift's the chance for another shot at glory but the 9/4 joint-favourite would not be denied and held on by three parts of a length.
Limestone Lad, also 9/4, ran his heart out but could not find any extra in the straight and settled for a gallant third, five lengths in arrears.
"He is an amazing animal and that was a hell of a race," said Doumen afterwards.
"That Limestone Lad is such a horse and really stays - I had to ask my mount to just keep going the pace. The key to him really is keeping him on the bridle.
"I was fortunate that I had two horses to aim at in the straight and that really helped me."
