Richards relishing Kauto challenge

Nicky Richards is looking forward to taking on hot favourite Kauto Star in the Stan James King George VI Chase with Monet’s Garden.

The Penrith trainer admitted being impressed with Paul Nicholls’ ace in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday, but is happy to have a horse good enough to oppose him in the Kempton showpiece on Boxing Day.

“There’ll be a lot of very good horses there and Paul’s horse looks an exceptional animal, but hopefully we’ll get there in one piece, firing on all cylinders and let’s have a good race for everybody,” said Richards.

“We are just building things up. We didn’t do anything too strenuous in a racecourse gallop at Ayr but it all went nicely and he did a good bit of work yesterday and everything’s going to plan.

“He’s a very good horse and it’s nice to be taking him on in the top races, that’s what it’s all about,” he told At The Races.

“He’ll have a little break after Christmas in the New Year. We’ll get Kempton out of the way and see how we go from that.”

Monet’s Garden, who won at Carlisle on his seasonal debut at Carlisle in October, is 9-2 second favourite with the sponsors for the King George behind 8-11 shot Kauto Star.