In a dramatic finish Baracouda survived a stumble at the final flight to rally past Crystal D’Ainay for victory by three quarters of a length, with Rule Supreme flying at the finish just a short head further away in third.

It was not the most authoritative display ever by Francois Doumen’s nine-year-old, but it was impressive enough in a race that turned into a tactical game of cat and mouse.

Robert Thornton, on main rival Crystal D’Ainay, took a pull approaching the second-last to avoid going ahead and giving Baracouda an easy target to aim at over the last two flights.

Tony McCoy, riding Baracouda for only the second time, responded by doing the same as a fascinating tactical duel unfolded.

Approaching the last Baracouda appeared to have just gained the upper hand, but his final-flight blip opened the race up again and as the pair locked horns on the run-in, he had to dig deep to hold off his younger rival.

It was the 8-13 favourite’s 16th victory from his last 18 starts and keeps him on track for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, when he will attempt to regain his staying hurdles crown.

McCoy said: “I rode the race to beat Crystal D’Ainay. Robert thought he could win by slowing it up, but Baracouda is not a slow horse.

“The stumble at the last could have beaten any horse, but he is something else.”

An emotional Doumen added: “It is difficult to be humble with a horse like Baracouda – he is just the best.

“He hung on well from the last. He is what he is, and he can idle, but he’s so good that we forgive him. He is amazing at home and I believe he is stronger than ever.

“The aim, once again, will be the Stayers’ (now Ladbrokes World) Hurdle.”

Crystal D’Ainay’s trainer Alan King said: “We gave it a bash and he’s run brilliantly. His next race should be Cheltenham at the end of January, and hopefully Baracouda won’t come over so he can give us a chance to win one!”

Ladbrokes and Coral kept Baracouda unchanged for the Festival race at 7-4, while Ladbrokes are as short as 7-2 about Crystal D’Ainay and 6-1 over Rule Supreme.

Earlier on the card, Jim Culloty celebrated his 31st birthday in perfect style by riding his first winner since returning to action after a seven-week break with a thumb injury.

He is now looking forward to partnering Best Mate in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28.

The birthday boy regained the winning thread in the RBI Promotions Happy Christmas Novices’ Hurdle aboard the Henrietta Knight-trained Loup Charter.

The Seamus Mullins-trained 13-2 chance See You Sometime outjumped his rivals to score a gutsy victory in the Blue Square 08000 587 0200 Novices’ Chase.

Hot favourite My Will threw down the most serious challenge, but a series of messy jumps, including when getting much too low over the final fence, cost him dear and he was just unable to regain the lost ground on the run-in, going down by half a length.

At Newcastle, Arcalis earned a possible tilt at some of the best hurdlers around with an effortless victory at the cramped odds of 1-5 in the betfred.com Early Prices From 10am Novices’ Hurdle.

Tony Dobbin booted him clear to win unchallenged by 14 lengths from Allez Scotia, after which trainer Howard Johnson said: “Tony said we are not learning a great deal because the horses are not good enough for him – that’s the problem.

“I’m thinking about putting him in the Christmas Hurdle (at Kempton on St Stephen's Day).

“I put the gun to Tony’s head and asked him if Arcalis was better than Inglis Drever, and he said Inglis Drever had more experience but this horse has more toe.”

Arcalis earned quotes of 33-1 and 40-1 respectively from Ladbrokes and William Hill for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

Merchants Friend gave further evidence of a revival in the fortunes of the Charlie Mann stable with a dour staying performance under Noel Fehily in the marathon Tim Molony Handicap Chase at Haydock Park.

Mann said: “I was chuffed to bits with that. A lot of my horses have been wrong, but hopefully we are on the way back.”