Rowdy Rocher can overcome weight hurdle

Racing: Thomson sends 11-year-old back out over fences after tidy win

Wise trainer Sandy Thomson will be optimistic ROWDY ROCHER can seize the day back over fences in the Racing UK-sponsored handicap chase at Ayr.

The 11-year-old has been heavily punished for winning so tidily over hurdles at this track on January 2, so he is clearly in decent fettle.

Rowdy Rocher’s recent chase performances have been nothing to write home about, but he is a useful operator in that discipline on his day and is now rated 7lb lower than over hurdles.

KINGS BANDIT can make the trip from Gordon Elliott’s yard pay in the racinguk.com Novices’ Chase.

Elliott regularly likes to bring a runner or two to Scotland and Kings Bandit is just the type to strike gold in this near two-mile heat.

Two and a half miles over hurdles proved too tough a test at Newbury on his last outing, so it is interesting to see Elliott switch him back in trip and return to fences this time.

Three previous chase outings yielded little joy but Elliott is sure to have brushed up his fencing technique ahead of this run.

DANCE FLOOR KING must have every chance in a two mile three furlong handicap chase at Exeter.

Nick Mitchell’s inmate has been in fair nick at the Devon circuit this season, having most recently finished a nine-length second behind Flaming Charmer in a race in which his jockey lost his irons after an error at the last fence.

Dance Floor King knocked off a hattrick a few years ago and now looks to have finally been given some respite from the assessor. SELECTIONS:

AYR: 1.15 Just Minded, 1.45 Billy Bronco, 2.20 Kings Bandit, 2.55 Grove Silver, 3.30 ROWDY ROCHER (NAP), 4.00 Pikarnia.

EXETER: 1.00 Ridgeway Flyer, 1.30 Pink Gin, 2.05 Bobble Boru, 2.40 Dance Floor King, 3.15 Obistar, 3.50 Contre Tous, 4.20 Big Brother George.

DOUBLE: Rowdy Rocher and Dance Floor King.

Sandy Thomson: hopeful his charge can seize the day at Ayr.