Turpin Tackles Aintree Test

Nicky Richards is hoping his totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup third, Turpin Green, can go one better at Aintree.

The Greystoke trainer is aiming the eight-year-old at the £150,000 Betfair Bowl on Thursday week.

'A lot of people doubted Turpin Green and knocked him but we never doubted him at Greystoke and he showed everybody what he's capable of by running a blinder at Cheltenham,' said Richards.

'He seems to have come out the Gold Cup well and is in grand form.'

Turpin Green could be joined at the three-day meeting by stablemates Monet's Garden and Faasel.

'If Monet's Garden runs at Aintree it will be in the Melling Chase over two and a half miles,' added Richards.

'Monet's Garden is still a very good horse. He's won a Grade One this year and hopefully he'll come back and win another one next year ? that's if he doesn't win another one this year.'

Richards will enter Faasel in both the two-mile John Smith's Maghull Novices' Chase and the three-mile-one-furlong John Smith Mildmay Novices' Chase.

'We'll see what's in each race and discuss it because he'll also be entered over two and a half miles at Ayr. He seems fine and in good order,' he added.

? PA Sport