Faasel Is Haydock-Bound

Champion Hurdle hope Faasel is set to take his chance in the Commhoist Logistics Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock at the weekend.

Despite the heavy ground that is prevalent at Haydock at the moment, trainer Nicky Richards says the horse is in need of a run and Saturday´s race is the best option.

'It´s going to be very testing ground but we need to get a run into him and all being well he´s going to run,' he told At The Races.

'He´ll probably run with a visor on again I would have thought.'

The five-year-old also holds an entry in the totesport Gold Trophy at Newbury on February 11, for which he has been allocated 11st 4lb.

But according to Richards, Haydock is the first priority.

'We´ll have a look at the whole race (totesport) but we´ll get Saturday out of the way before we start thinking of Newbury or anything like that. He may run Saturday and then he might not run again until the Champion,' he said.

On Faasel´s two previous visits to Prestbury Park he has been runner-up to Penzance in the Triumph Hurdle and finished third behind Harchibald in the Bula.

But Richards disputes any notion that he has failed to finish up the famous Cheltenham hill.

'I don´t know if that´s (the hill) the problem. He finished very well up the hill in the Triumph were he just got pipped and then he ran a good solid race against Harchibald in the Bula,' he said.

'Only time will tell but I think he´s run two very good solid races at Cheltenham.'

(C) PA Sport