The French father-and-son team of Francois and Thierry Doumen scored a memorable triumph when Baracouda wore down the Irish challenger Bannow Bay to win a thrilling Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The young Frenchman held the 13-8 favourite up at the back of the field as Boss Doyle and Jair Du Cochet cut out the running at a good pace for the three-mile contest. At the top of the hill for the final time Telemoss took over with Bannow Bay travelling well just behind. As the field swung for home Swan sent Bannow Bay into the lead but Baracouda was soon breathing down his neck.
They took the final flight in unison but up the run-in it was Baracouda who gained the day, staying on well to hold on by a neck from Bannow Bay with 13 lengths back to It Takes Time.
The jockey's father and winning trainer Francois Doumen was delighted with his son's riding performance. He said: "It is very emotional because I thought my son rode a very great race. This horse needs to be ridden with a lot of patience. He never shows anything in a race and you have to have trust in him when you are dead last after nearly two thirds of the race. The horse is a genius - I've never had a hurdler like him.
Bannow Bay wa very well supported before the race and stunned trainer Christy Roche said: "I'm speechless. I can't tell you how confident I was - I can't believe he got beaten.
Filed by Laura Reynolds
