Baracouda, the best staying hurdler in Europe, is the star attraction at Ascot tomorrow.

Trained in France by Francois Doumen, Baracouda goes for the £70,000 Cantor Sport Long Walk Hurdle, a race which, last season, produced his one and only defeat in Britain.

Thanks to the enterprising tactics of Tony McCoy, Deano's Beeno poached a huge lead from the overseas raider, who, having been ridden with exaggerated waiting tactics, was unable to overhaul the pacemaker when it mattered.

A repeat of that shock result tomorrow seems unlikely. Baracouda had Deano's Beeno well behind when making a successful reappearance at Newbury last month and he will start at very short odds to follow-up in this Grade 1 contest.

Thierry Doumen, the trainer's son, has the mount, as usual, on Baracouda, whose season will again be aimed at the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, when he will defend his champion's crown.

Andrew Thornton, currently in third place behind McCoy and Richard Johnson in the jockeys' table, is enjoying an outstanding season and the Co Durham-born jockey can further add to his tally on Ballyrobert in the PML Novices' Handicap Chase.

Trained by Nick Gaselee, Ballyrobert is unbeaten in two outings this season, and looked in particularly good form when scoring by four lengths at Newbury on his latest start.

A useful horse in the making, having previously undergone more than his share of injury problems, Ballyrobert is napped to complete a hat-trick.

The highly regarded Trabolgan should not be overlooked in the Mitie Group 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle.

One of last season's leading 'bumper' performers, Nicky Henderson's five-year-old was a faller on his hurdling debut at Aintree last month.

Travelling supremely well when he departed, Trabolgan comes here with excellent prospects of gaining compensation.

The Scanmoor Construction Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle has attracted a classy field, and Lingo could be the value bet of the race.

Previously a high class handicapper on the Flat with Lynda Ramsden, Lingo made a successful debut over hurdles in Ireland last month and looks an exciting recruit to the Jonjo O'Neill stable. He faces a pretty stiff tomorrow, but it would not surprise me to see him triumph.

On the Flat at Southwell, Tony Culhane is fancied to add to his score of winners, which has exceeded the magic 100 for the first time this season.

The North Yorkshire-based rider has good prospects on the tough and consistent Mi Odds in the featured Littlewoods Bet Direct Handicap, while the David Chapman-trained Headland provides Culhane with another sound chance in the Littlewoods Selling Stakes.

Friday's tips:

ASCOT

1.00 Trabolgan, 1.30 Wild Romance, 2.05 Ballyrobert (Nap), 2.40 Baracouda, 3.10 Devon View, 3.40 Lingo.

SOUTHWELL

11.40 Magic Mamma's Too, 12.10 Five Years On, 12.40 Blofeld, 1.10 Wasted Talent, 1.40 Mi Odds, 2.15 Denver, 2.50 Headland, 3.20 Forty Forte.

UTTOXETER

12.20 Mon Villez, 12.50 Prince Adjal, 1.20 Keltic Bard, 1.50 Red Oassis, 2.25 All On My Own, 3.00 Red Gold, 3.30 Flight Command.

There are no other meetings tomorrow.

Updated: 12:14 Thursday, December 18, 2003