Nicky Richards out of hospital following gallops fall - and trainer hopeful big-race favourite can prove a perfect tonic on Saturday

Nicky Richards is back home after three weeks in hospital following a fall and looking forward to "a good shot" with Betfred Tommy Whittle Chase favourite Famous Bridge on Saturday.

But he will not be at Haydock to see the Grand National hope attempt to repeat last year's victory in the £50,000 handicap as he is still recovering from last month's frightening incident that left him with a broken shoulder blade, pelvis and several ribs.

The trainer, 68, suffered his injuries when stable favourite Houston Texas suffered a fatal heart attack on the gallops at his yard near Penrith in Cumbria.