Nicky Richards is likely to send a strong team to Aintree next week, with the Sir Robert Ogden-owned Palomar among his brighter hopes.

The Greystoke handler has yet to designate a target for stable star Monet's Garden and also has two options for Palomar, who landed a hat-trick earlier in the season.

"Palomar will run in either the two-and-a-half-mile John Smith's Handicap Hurdle or the two-mile handicap hurdle (John Smith's Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle)," said Richards.

"The track should suit him well. I thought he ran a very nice race in the Imperial Cup, he got interfered with twice and the way he has to be ridden means you have to have luck in running in these big handicaps.

"The one good thing was that he stayed on well up the hill. It's solid form and I'd be pretty hopeful that he would run a very good race, he looks brilliant."

Faasel has not managed to get his head in front this season but will also make an appearance, while Rose Davidson is likely to be on Modicum and the progressive Rayshan.

"Faasel will run in the three-mile hurdle (John Smith's Liverpool Hurdle) as Inglis Drever might scare everybody away," Richards continued.

"Modicum could go in the two-mile novice chase (Maghull) and I think he is a good horse. He's run three real solid chases.

"Rayshan will run in a three-mile handicap chase (totepool Handicap). He's been really consistent so we will be keeping Rose busy!

"We've kept a few of them back for this meeting because it is not often you can go to Cheltenham and then go to Aintree.

"The weather hasn't been very kind to us here but we'll have a bit of fun."

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