Faasel plan could be clearer after weekend

Nicky Richards is hoping Faasel’s performance in the totesport Premier Kelso Hurdle this weekend will help determine his Cheltenham Festival target.

Tony Dobbin will again be aboard the exciting 230,000gns purchase as he seeks to extend his unbeaten run to four in the Grade Two contest at the Scottish track.

“Everything has gone grand up to now – he has had his three runs and has done everything nicely,” Richards told At The Races.

The four-year-old, who was formerly trained in Ireland by Kevin Prendergast, has a choice of two entries at the Festival – the JCB Triumph Hurdle and the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, in which he has been allotted 11st 1lb.

“We’ll have to get Saturday out of the way and see how we go there before making any plans,” said the Cumbria-based handler. “I’d imagine that it will be a very competitive race.

“I’ll have a look at the novice handicap at Cheltenham and weigh all of the options up with Mr Ennis (his owner) a bit nearer the day.”