Don’t miss Unibet ambassador Nico de Boinville’s latest column as he talks through his Ayr rides on Saturday

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WHAT a difference a week makes.

Seven days ago I was sat on the sidelines in the cold and damp of Aintree as my Grand National ride Gold Present was pulled out due to the soft conditions.

We hoped we would find some better ground up at Ayr for the Scottish National so it’s been great to feel the sun on my face when riding out this week.

I’m not sure anyone realised how much it was going to dry out so it looks a good decision now.

There would’ve been no point going out there just to pull up at Aintree – which he would’ve done in that ground. It is an issue for Gold Present – it just doesn’t play to his strengths.

When he won at Newbury and Ascot earlier in the season it wasn’t too bad and he just got away with it but at Cheltenham it was too much for him.

He’s got to shoulder top weight but he’s a big, fine horse who shapes as though he will stay.

The guv’nor Nicky Henderson also runs Beware The Bear. He’s an out-and-out stayer who wants every yard of the trip.

Claimantakinforgan (2.55) was supposed to run at Aintree but obviously the ground went against him so he’s headed up to Ayr for the Scottish Champion Hurdle.

I was quite impressed with him when he stayed on for fifth in the Supreme at Cheltenham.

Ayr’s plenty sharp enough for him so he’d want a good strong gallop at two miles. In these big-field handicaps you would like to think there would be a bit of pace on.

He’s gone through the season very well and at last we’ve got some good ground for these horses.

His form has worked out very well so I’m looking forward to him.

I would’ve thought he’ll go chasing next year. We’ve got some nice novices going over fences next year.

I’ve got a particular soft spot of novice chasers – I love them.

The boss also runs Verdana Blue. I won on her at Ascot and rode her when she was third in the big handicap back there just before Christmas.

She really does want fast ground and she’ll be one of my biggest dangers.

Soul Emotion (4.40) went up 12lbs for winning at Sandown on her British debut – that’s quite a lot.

We are going into the unknown slightly as he’s untried on the ground having run around France on very soft conditions.

They tinkered with his wind before he came to us which seems to have done the trick. He’s a nice horse and I’d like to think he’ll run well.

The guv’nor has a great record in the bumper. He’s won it five times in the last eight years and the first of those winners was Sprinter Sacre.

We’ve got two in it this year and I ride New Moon (5.50). He’s an exciting prospect owned by some very nice people. He’s been working very well at home.

The boss also runs Igor for the Waley-Cohens and I know they really like him.

It’s been nice to get some decent ground for these young horses but there was a bit too much warm weather at Cheltenham on Thursday. They abandoned the long-distance chase due to the heat.

We have to have horse welfare at the front of our minds – they have to come first.