North Yorkshire trainer Peter Niven opted against sending Posh Bird to Ffos Las on Saturday because of the threat of abandonment and is instead set to run her at Ayr this afternoon.

Bizarre as it may sound, today’s scheduled all-weather meeting at Wolverhampton is subject to an early-morning inspection, after the course had to abandon Saturday’s meeting after four races having become snow-bound.

However, Ayr, racing over jumps on turf, is set to hold their fixture without an inspection due to the forecast of a frost-free night.

Whether the confidence of clerk of the course Kate Marley is misplaced or whether she is going to be left with egg on her face is anyone’s guess, but Niven is among those who is dearly hoping that the meeting goes ahead as planned after Ffos Las was indeed lost to the wintry weather on Saturday, as was yesterday’s Musselburgh programme.

Posh Bird, a new recruit to Niven’s Barton-le-Street stable on the outskirts of Malton, made an excellent debut for her new handler at Catterick last month.

The ex-Irish mare won the North Yorkshire Grand National in the hands of Graham Lee.

Staying long distances is clearly the forte of Posh Bird, who should relish every yard of the Play Casino At BetVictor.com Handicap Chase over an extended three miles.

Lee is in opposition this time aboard Lockstown, but Niven has booked Brian Hughes for Posh Bird, who is not to be underestimated.

Thirsk trainer Noel Wilson can also figure on the Ayr scoresheet with Makari in the BetVictor.com Standard National Hunt Flat Race.

Runner-up in his two races to date, most recently at Musselburgh, Makari, who changed hands for 100,000gns in between his two outings, may be able to make it third time lucky.

Former useful hurdler Lie Forrit, who after missing the whole of last season has returned this term over fences, can resume winning ways in the BetVictor.com Novices’ Chase.

A winner at Kelso on his reappearance, the Willie Amos-trained gelding has since finished second to the useful Bold Sir Brian on the same course when a mistake at the third-last fence spoiled his chance. He can get back on top this time.

Amos can also win with What A Dream, who is napped to notch his first win of the campaign in the BetVictor.com Novices’ Handicap Chase, while Gordon Elliott’s prolific winner Mae’s Choice (1.30) and the dual-scorer Sydney Paget (2.00), trained by Donald McCain, can provide jockey Jason Maguire with a double on the card.

At Southwell tomorrow, Norton trainer Brian Ellison may hold the key to the featured Thousands Of Sports Experiences At bluesq.com Handicap.

Ellison runs the consistent Global Village and Upper Lambourn, winner of both his races this season. With stable jockey Barry McHugh aboard Global Village, he is marginally favoured over Upper Lambourn, the mount of Tony Hamilton.

Tom Eaves has double prospects aboard Heidi’s Delight (2.15) and Argentine (2.45), while the nap vote is awarded to J J Leary (4.15) to bounce back after failing to justify favouritism on his seasonal debut last month. Jamie Spencer has the mount.

Racing selections

Ayr (today)

1.20 Mae’s Choice, 2.00 Sydney Paget, 2.35 Lie Forrit, 3.10 What A Dream (NAP), 3.40 Posh Bird, 4.15 Without Equal, 4.45 Makari.

Today’s other meeting

Wolverhampton.

Southwell (tomorrow)

1.15 Yossi, 1.45 Phoenix Flame, 2.15 Heidi’s Delight, 2.45 Argentine, 3.15 Derivatives, 3.45 Global Village, 4.15 J J Leary (NAP), 4.45 Hunters Belt.

Tomorrow’s other meetings

Market Rasen (inspection 8am today) and Sedgefield (inspection 12.30pm today).