Richards wins fight for Faasel

CUMBRIA-BASED trainer Nicky Richards beat off the competition on the opening day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale at Newmarket yesterday to snap up Kevin Prendergast's Faasel for 230,000gns.

The three-year-old colt, who was last seen winning a 12-furlong handicap at Naas earlier this month, became the subject of a fierce bidding war, with Richards sticking to his guns and eventually coming out on top.

"He is a nice sort and will go hurdling," said Richards. "He is for one of my long-standing clients.