Richards Celebrates After Garden Party

Monet's Garden ended his season on a high when taking his second Grade One event of the campaign in the John Smith's Melling Chase at Aintree.

Nicky Richards' grey claimed some notable scalps as he bounced back from his lifeless run at the Cheltenham Festival and bounded home three and a half lengths ahead of the rest under Tony Dobbin.

The 4-1 shot turned the tables on his Ryanair Chase conqueror Taranis, who could only manage second this time, while 4-5 favourite Well Chief never got into the firing line and was nine lengths adrift in third place.

Richards said: 'He didn't come home from Cheltenham 100 per cent and he scoped dirty, but I don't want to take anything away from the horses who beat him that day.

'This horse has changed so much in the last 10 days with some sun on his back.

'Over two and a half miles on a flat track it will take a fair horse to beat him. When he is good, he is very good.

'He might start off back here in the Old Roan Chase in October and then go for the King George as three miles isn't a problem to him round Kempton.

'We went there last year thinking we were going to give Kauto Star a race and it didn't happen, but we will try again.

'This is a very big moment for me. It's at these places you get remembered.'

Dobbin added: 'I love this fellow. He has disappointed once or twice, but there have always been reasons for it.

'He's a very good horse. He's got more brains than me and he's some jumper ? he has been since day one and he's a lovely horse to be associated with.'

Taranis's trainer Paul Nicholls added: 'Two and a half miles was just a bit sharp for him but we are well pleased and are confident of stepping him up to three miles next season ? he's going to be a cracking horse.'

There were long faces where connections of Well Chief were concerned.

The crack two-miler had failed to perform over the extra four furlongs and found little for Timmy Murphy when asked for an effort.

His trainer David Pipe said: 'Timmy didn't really use the extra distance as an excuse.

'He said he travelled well and jumped well but he didn't think he would have won at two miles here.

'The horse seemed fine afterwards so we'll just get him home and see how he is. It's disappointing obviously, but he's back in one piece anyway.'

(C) PA Sport