Nicky Richards reveals Cheltenham ambitions for Wetherby winner Baywing

Baywing defied his long odds to run out a clear-cut winner of the totepool Towton Novices' Chase at Wetherby.Trained by Nicky Richards, the eight-year-old had only had one previous run over fences, when beaten a long way, so his 33-1 starting price was not too surprising in the Grade Two.Blaklion won the corresponding race 12 months ago and went on to follow up in the RSA at Cheltenham, but Richards is looking more towards the four-mile National Hunt Chase, and only then if the ground is soft enough.What would have happened if The Dutchman had not fallen four form home is unclear as he still looked to be going well.But the favourite Missed Approach was beaten a long way from home, while Calett Mad's stamina appeared to give way in the long home straight, having travelled sweetly up to a point.Baywing, giving Ryan Day the biggest success of his career, was left to come home 22 lengths clear of Calett Mad."The key to his horse is the ground as he's got to have plenty of dig," said Richards."We might have a think about the four-miler as long as the ground was soft enough.I'd run him in anything as long as there's enough cut. "He did a piece of work this week that made me think he wouldn't be out of place and I said to Ryan he might run on into third or something and we'd have something to build on."The rest of the meeting was dominated by Graeme McPherson and Dan Skelton, who both celebrated doubles.McPherson's Ami Desbois (15-8 favourite) looked well treated for the three-mile handicap hurdle and so it proved as he made every yard of the running for Kielan Woods."I thought he was thrown in (at the weights)," said McPherson."He was narrowly beaten by Wholestone at level weights, with No Hassle Hoff in behind, and they both franked the form last week."I thought he'd reassesses us after that so for once I owe the handicapper a thank you.He'll go for the Albert Bartlett and if it's soft it will take a good one to beat him." McPherson had earlier won the two-mile-five-furlong novice hurdle with Skipthecuddles (3-1). "I think he's a nice horse and the penny still hasn't really dropped," said McPherson."He's got Cheltenham entries in the Neptune and Albert Bartlett and if he gets in will probably run in one."He has no tongue. He somehow pulled it off on the walker but after he learned to eat again he's been fine with it."Skelton may also have Cheltenham ambitions for his two winners on the card, Golden Vision (7-4) and Oldgrangewood (4-1).Golden Vision was making her debut for the yard in the Wilmot-Smith Memorial Mares' Novices' Hurdle, having won over hurdles in France.Skelton said: "I think she's Listed class and she'll have an entry for the mares' novices' hurdle at Cheltenham.She handles the soft but I think she'd benefit from better ground." Oldgrangewood, also ridden by Harry Skelton, looked some way ahead of the assessor in winning the two-mile-three-furlong handicap chase and can expect a hefty rise in the weights."We looked after him over hurdles last season but I ran him over them first time out to see if he'd improved but it was time to go chasing," said the handler."He should be unbeaten over fences, he could have won when he was brought down at Aintree."We'll look after him but I'm not sure about targets as his owners are away so we've time to think."