Nicky Richards and Chidswell could be the pick at tough Ayr

- It will be hard to escape Chidswell’s charms today when he turns out at Ayr.

Nicky Richards has some fine chances at the Scottish circuit and this one looks the pick.

This eight-year-old has been in fine fettle this winter and really seized a golden opportunity to get his head in front at Sedgefield a fortnight ago.

Chidswell only had one rival to worry about in a novice chase over just shy of 4000m, but it was still really encouraging to see him jump so neatly and accurately.

He ended up never needing to get out of first gear, but that widemargin defeat of Jack In A Box, who does not look too bad an operator, at least confirmed his aptitude on heavy ground.

And with conditions again likely to be very demanding at Ayr, that trait should come in very handy indeed for the Racing UK-sponsored limited handicap chase for novices.

Plumpton has admittedly staged better meetings, but the inform Shimba Hills perhaps looks as safe a play as anything on the card.

Lawney Hill has done a grand job with this six-year-old, who made the West Sussex circuit his second home this winter.

Shimba Hills is on a courseand-distance hat-trick ahead of the 3200m handicap hurdle and a bold bid looks seemingly assured.

He clearly has a whale of a time at Plumpton judged by back-toback defeats of Sir Hubert, who has twice been a most willing foe.

And with many of Shimba Hills’ rivals either out of form or thoroughly exposed, he must have a fighting chance off just a 2kg higher mark.

It is also good that Nick Scholfield, who has ridden him on his last three outings, is back in the saddle.

It will be really interesting to see how Go Far gets on back on the all-weather at Wolverhampton.

Alan Bailey’s seven-year-old has top weight and a near-200-day absence to overcome, but he loves it at Dunstall Park and is on a realistic mark to do some damage.

This three-time course-anddistance scorer will also find the Betway Handicap a little easier compared to his summer travails, which saw him compete in races like the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon and the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood.Press Association