Chidswell pick of bunch for heavy ground

Conditions will favour Nicky Richards’ eight-year-old at Ayr

It will be hard to escape CHIDSWELL when he rocks up at Ayr.

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

The eight-year-old has been in fine fettle this winter and really seized upon 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 a two and a half miles, 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 wide-margin defeat of Jack In A Box, who does not look too bad an operator, 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 in-form

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 has made the West Sussex circuit his second home this winter.

Shimba Hills is on a course-anddistance hat-trick ahead of the twomile handicap hurdle and a bold bid looks seemingly assured.

He clearly has a whale of a time at Plumpton judged by back-to-back 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 5lb higher mark.

It is also good that Nick Scholfield, who has ridden him on his last three outings, is back in the saddle. SELECTIONS: AYR: 2.10 Trongate, 2.45 Beaumont’s Party, 3.15 Billy Billy, 3.45 Nakadam, 4.15 CHIDSWELL (NAP), 4.45 Shades Of Midnight, 5.15 Golden Jeffrey. PLUMPTON: 2.00 Cigarisi, 2.35 Bagging Turf, 3.05 Deckers Delight, 3.35 Shimba Hills, 4.05 Coolking, 4.35 Landscape.

DOUBLE: Chidswell and Shimba Hills.