Rayshan heading to Lanzarote

Rayshan is set to have his first outing for new connections in the totesport Lanzarote Hurdle at Carlisle on Saturday.

The six-year-old was bought out of Howard Johnson’s stable for 58,000 guineas by trainer Nicky Richards on behalf of Persimmon Homes chairman Duncan Davidson at the Doncaster November Sales.

Rayshan will be ridden in the £35,000 (€50,000) handicap by the owner’s daughter, 7lb claiming amateur Rose Davidson, and Richards said: “Rose came and schooled him this morning and everything’s good. He worked nicely and the plan is to run him.

“Everything’s gone well since we got him. He seems a nce, straightforward lad so it will be interesting to see how he runs.”

Meanwhile, Richards has decided not to send Jazz D’Estruval over to Ireland for the Leopardstown Handicap Chase on Sunday but the nine-year-old could make the trip there next month for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.

“I’m not sure where he’ll go. He might go for the Hennessy over there. He seems fine,” added the Greystoke handler.

Richards also reported his top-notch novice chaser Monet’s Garden to be on course for his second run over fences in two weeks’ time.

The eight-year-old grey is around 8-1 for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham after beating subsequent Feltham Chase winner Darkness on his fencing debut at Ayr in November.

However, Richards has yet to commit Monet’s Garden to the Festival.

“He’ll either go to Ayr on Jan 23rd or Huntingdon two days’ later. We’re taking it from race to race and see where we end up,” said Richards.