Racing: The Grey Monk on National trail

THE GREY MONK is set to return to action with the Grand National as his target. Nicky Richards, his trainer, is planning a light campaign for the injury-prone grey. Richards wants to emulate his late father Gordon, who won the Grand National with Lucius (1978) and Hallo Dandy (1984).

Richards said: "We're looking to start him off over hurdles. It could be something like two races over hurdles and two over fences before Aintree."

The Grey Monk is already pencilled in for a handicap hurdle on the Edward Hanmer Chase card at Haydock a week tomorrow but there is an alternative for him at Ayr. Richards added he might run The Grey Monk in the Edward Hanmer if the race cut up.