There's a treat in store for jumping fans at Ascot tomorrow when the French-trained brilliant hurdler Baracouda returns to action.

This prolific winner makes his seasonal debut in the £30,000 PricewaterhouseCoopers Ascot Hurdle, as he did last year when he won the Grade 2 prize.

Trained by Francois Doumen, Baracouda had his finest moment last season when winning the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival under a super-cool ride by his regular jockey Thierry Doumen, the trainer's son.

Tomorrow's two and a half miles is on the short side for Baracouda, but this classy gelding should show his prowess all the same -- just as he did a year ago -- in one of three Ascot races to be shown on BBC2.

The Doumens, father and son, can also win the Bingley Novices' Hurdle with Krach who, like Baracouda, is owned by JP McManus.

A good second at Auteuil in France on his only outing over hurdles last season, Krach, a decent performer on the Flat, looks a very interesting candidate for the months ahead.

Just Jasmine is fancied to defy a penalty in the Allied Irish Bank Handicap Chase.

Kevin Bishop's stable-star was an ultra-game winner at Cheltenham last weekend and looks capable of shrugging-off her 5lb extra weight here. Rodi Greene again has the mount.

Hawadeth gets my vote in the John Doyle Handicap Hurdle.

Jim Culloty's mount has finished in the money in both his starts this season and failed by only a neck to get the better of Warjan at Sandown last time.

Clearly in good heart at present, he is fancied to go one better this time for trainer Victor Dartnell.

There is to be a precautionary inspection at Exeter racecourse at 7.30am tomorrow to decide if racing can go ahead.

Max Pride is napped to win the Doubleprint Novices' Handicap Hurdle at Exeter.

Although better known these days as a chaser, Robin Dickin's gelding successfully reverted to the smaller obstacles on this course last month when getting home by two and a half lengths from the favourite Steel Mill.

Tackling the same distance tomorrow, Max Pride has every chance of doubling his score over hurdles before switching back to fences.

The Villager should not be underestimated in the Tripleprint Novices' Chase.

The gelding is trained by Denis Caro, a relative unknown to many people but a man who has the assistance this season of former champion jockey Peter Scudamore.

The Caro team is working well and The Villager, a winner last time out, should make a bold bid tomorrow in the hands of Tom Scudamore, Peter's son.

Friday's tips:

Ascot

1.00 Krach, 1.30 Hell-Of-A-Shindy, 2.05 Taming, 2.40 Baracouda, 3.10 Just Jasmine, 3.45 Hawadeth.

Exeter

12.35 Anns Girl, 1.10 Max Pride (Nap), 1.40 The Villager, 2.15 Romantic Hero, 2.50 Kalca Mome, 3.25 Doon Run, 4.00 Foxchapel Queen.

Updated: 13:18 Thursday, November 21, 2002