Richards Ponders Faasel Options

Nicky Richards will study the entries for Faasel´s two engagements on Saturday before making a decision on which race to go for with the exciting four-year-old.

Faasel will be put in both the totesport Bula Hurdle and Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham at the weekend.

'We´ll have a look and see what´s entered, the ground, the conditions, the opposition and take everything into account,' Richards said.

'We´ve got to balance everything up, what is the best thing to do.

'I wouldn´t want to run him against older horses with top weight in the Relkeel. He would be right up against it in the Relkeel at the ratings, but we might have a go.

'He worked on Saturday and he worked fantastic. I´m very happy with him for this time of year. There´s still plenty left in the tank with him.

'If he runs in the Bula I´ll probably put the headgear, a visor, on him. Two-five in the Relkeel with the headgear on and he might be doing too much and he might not get the trip with them on.'

Richards is also responsible for the smart novice chaser Monet´s Garden, who has recently been on the easy list after 'tweaking a muscle'.

The Greystoke trainer added: 'Monet´s Garden will be back probably for a race at Ayr on February 10.'

? PA Sport