World Hurdle PreviewIf Moscow Flyer was the sentimental favourite yesterday, there's no doubt who fills that role this afternoon. The Stayers Hurdle may have morphed into the Ladbrokes World but this is the fifth year in a row that the French superstar Baracouda will be a reassuring fixture in the race. Victory for the veteran will be greeted by a lot more than indifferent Gallic shrugs.

Part of that will be due to the JP McManus colours on his back, but time has also turned Baracouda into a remarkably popular champion. The winning days of 2002 and 2003, when Thierry Doumen's riding technique had the blinkered jingoists in full cry, have changed into the widespread affection generated by two runner-up placings to Iris's Gift and Ingles Drever.

How much that says about the gallant-loser syndrome here is a topic for another time but it could be worth betting that Baracouda's fan base won't have to deal with a return to winning ways just yet.

A monster field of 22 declared runners reflects how many believe they have a chance this year in the absence of the injured Inglis Drever.

Francois Doumen himself seems to believe the same. As well as Baracouda, he also has Blue Canyon and Millenium Royal, and while it can be dangerous to read too much into such things, it could be argued such numerical strength hardly tells us Baracouda is bombing away from all his friends in the Chantilly mornings.

A total of five Irish horses are scheduled to take their chance, although Tom Mullins has reported that Asian Maze took a knock to her neck when falling in Tuesday's Champion Hurdle and a final decision on her participation could be postponed until this morning.

Of the others, Golden Cross looks much the best prospect and John Murtagh should have an excellent chance of emulating another multi-Derby winning rider, Lester Piggott, and landing a Grade One championship race over jumps at the festival.

The home team are strong numerically but there is hardly anything to scare the visitors unduly. Mighty Man appears to hold as many sound claims as the rest but getting beaten by The French Furze is hardly the sort of form to have Monsieur Doumen and the others sweating.

In fact it might be worth a small bet that the same Monsieur Doumen doesn't have to look too far over his shoulder in order to find a bigger danger.

Ambobo, trained by Arnaud Chaille-Chaille in the southwest of France, has a fine six-from-eight record over jumps and crucially has already been to Cheltenham and won. That was 16 months ago when the flatbred won a Grade Two two miles and five furlongs under an impressed Barry Geraghty.

"He was favourite for the SunAlliance after that but had to miss the race through injury," explained the Irish jockey yesterday.

"He's done well in France since and I think he has every chance in an open race."

Certainly Ambobo at a general 8 to 1 makes more appeal than Baracouda at the prices in what really looks a very open contest. The negative is that he is unproven over the trip but that previous Cheltenham victory came off a fast pace and there was no evidence of him stopping in front.

With more time under his belt, stamina shouldn't be an issue for Ambobo and he does look to possess a change of gear, which is vital in a race like this.

Golden Cross is in the same boat, having won a Grade One over two miles, but Ambobo is marginally preferred.

Brian O'Connor's

Forecast

1. Ambobo

2. Golden Cross

3. Mighty Man