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Richards Dreaming Of Champion Success

Nicky Richards believes Faasel has the right credentials to become a serious contender for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle next March.

The four-year-old gained handsome compensation following his narrow defeat in the Triumph Hurdle when hacking up by seven lengths in a competitive Grade One event at Aintree on his last outing in April.

The Unfuwain gelding has not finished outside the top two places on his last eight starts - winning five races in the process - and is set to make his reappearance in the Nerak Hurdle at Haydock on November 19.

'He´s going to Haydock in about three weeks´ time and we´ll then be able to get a guide from race to race,' Richards told At The Races.

'I will hope we are there next March in the Champion Hurdle because he´s good enough.

'At the moment we´ll stick to two miles and we´ve still got the Champion Hurdle dream.

'But if we´ve got to go up in trip and down in level, that will be an option as the season goes on.'

(C) PA Sport