Nicky Richards thrilled to take charge of Rich Ricci-owned runner

Ricci and his wife Susannah have the vast majority of their formidable string in training with Willie Mullins, with whom they have enjoyed a staggering level of success for the last decade, thanks to likes of Annie Power, Douvan, Faugheen and Vautour.

The American owner broke new ground earlier this year when Palixandre, trained by Nicky Henderson, became the first British-trained horse to carry his familiar pink and green colours when finishing fifth in a Southwell bumper in May.

And his silks are set to be seen in action on the northern circuit in the near future, with Penrith-based Richards looking forward to the imminent racecourse debut of the Ricci-owned Wilhelm Vonvenster, who holds entries in bumpers at Ayr tomorrow and Newcastle on Friday.

Richards said: “I think it’s great for northern racing – it’s testament to all the northern trainers – and to see his colours racing up in the north will be great and will hopefully help get the flag flying a bit.”

The Greystoke handler revealed the new alliance came about during one of his trips to Ireland.

The Richards-trained Simply Ned was touched off by the Ricci-owned Min at Leopardstown last Christmas, only for the result to be swapped later in the stewards’ room. Min reversed the form in February.

Richards added: “I’ve met Mr Ricci a couple of times on our trips to Ireland. Like all these things, you socialise in the bar afterwards, say ‘well done’ or ‘bad luck’ or what have you, and one day he said he’d like to have a horse in the north of England. I bought him (Wilhelm Vonvenster) as a store horse and he’s come through the system. I hope he’s lucky for the owners.”