HISTORIC can edge another step closer towards supremacy in the staying hurdle division by taking the notable scalp of Baracouda at Ascot today.

The classy pair clash in the £55,000 Cantor-sponsored Long Walk Hurdle, a race won by in emphatic fashion by French raider Baracouda 12 months ago.

And Francois Doumen's star has since returned to the Berkshire track and followed up with dazzling authority when slamming Hors La Loi 111 by nine lengths.

But neither has Historic been resting on his laurels because he produced one of the performances of the season when making every yard to account for Spendid and First Gold at Newbury's Hennessy Gold Cup meeting.

Admittedly Historic (2.40) still trails Baracouda by a good few pounds on the official ratings, none the less Tom George's fabulously-bred son of Sadler's Wells possesses bags of scope for further improvement.

There'll be plenty of interest surrounding Ilnamar (3.10) in the later PML Handicap Chase.

Since leaving France Martin Pipe's unexposed five-year-old has only raced once in this country to date, finishing a very promising fifth to stable-mate Cyfor Malta at Newbury.

Testing conditions at Uttoxeter should suit the aptly-named Barton Bog (12.50) down to a tee in the opening Newborough Novices Chase at the Midlands venue.

Jimmy McCarthy's mount has been knocking on the door lately and in such a small field he should be able to justify likely favouritism albeit at cramped odds.

Its been a similar story for Sue Smith's Errand Boy (1.55) this term, twice finishing second but so far failing to get his head in front.

The overall profile of Errand Boy's form suggests he is far superior to his rivals in the Marchington Novices' Chase, although backers might once again have to settle for a fairly miserly starting price. Trainer John Upson was very keen on the chances of Reach The Clouds (3.00) when I spoke to him at Sedgefield recently, and it would seem churlish to disagree with the shrewd Towcester-based handler.

Reach The Clouds doesn't always find as much as is expected when the cosh is applied, a disadvantage hopefully negated by his feather-weight in the St Mowden Showcase Handicap Chase.

Second-season trainer Heather Dalton has quickly established herself as a name to be reckoned with and there's more success in the pipeline via In Depth (12.40) at Southwell.

In Depth showed she was capable of getting her name on the score-sheet by finishing runner-up to Speed Of Light on her highly-promising debut at Wolverhampton . The once raced three-year-old is a half-sister to a winner over 14f and clearly appears to have the requisite stamina to make her mark on the all-weather tracks this winter.

Littlewoods sponsor the feature event on the card, the £10,000 mile-and-half contest at 2.20. Patrick Haslam holds a strong hand with two of the likely market leaders, China Castle and Positive Profile, both in with a serious shout.