Garden Bound For Aintree Monet?s Garden is almost certain to bypass Cheltenham in favour of a trip to his beloved Aintree and the John Smith?s Melling Chase three weeks later. The grey took fourth in the Ryanair Chase last year and is a general 10-1 chance for this year?s renewal, but trainer Nicky Richards had been keen to miss the Festival in favour of an outing at Liverpool. His 10-year-old has shown a distinct liking for the Mildmay course and is unbeaten over fences there having claimed Kauto Star?s scalp in October in addition to his Melling Chase victory last season. ?It is nearly 100% certain that he won?t run at Cheltenham this year,? said Richards. ?There isn?t that long between Cheltenham and Aintree this year, so we?ll just go to Liverpool ? he knows his way home around there!? (C) PA Sport
