Richards Aware Of George Challenge

Nicky Richards is aware of the difficult task facing Monet's Garden in the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day.

The Greystoke handler was on hand at Haydock last Saturday to see Kauto Star notch an impressive win in the Betfair Chase and he admits that Paul Nicholls' chaser will be the one to beat in the Christmas showpiece.

However, he is delighted with the preparations of Monet's Garden and hoping the dashing grey can live up to his tall reputation.

'He's very well,' said Richards. 'We are just starting to build him up a little bit now and everything is going great with him. He looks great.

'There are several potentially really good horses in the race and he's one of them.

'We were at Haydock on Saturday and Kauto Star was very impressive and he's going to be the one to beat by the looks of things,' he told At The Races.

'His form looks pretty solid at the moment but hopefully one of these young horses coming through will give him a good race one day.'

? PA Sport