ADAM Ellis is hopeful Swindon Robins can peg back the six-point deficit from Monday night’s Charity Shield first-leg defeat at the National Speedway Stadium.

Robins suffered a 48-42 loss in Manchester on Monday and host the Aces at the Abbey Stadium tonight in the return fixture (7.30pm).

Ellis returned with paid six from his four rides on Monday, a meeting in which the 21-year-old French-born race featured at number two – a position which he admitted presents its challenges.

He said: “My first race was tricky, it always is.

“You’re starting alongside others in the same position, so you never know what to expect.

“I didn’t make the start in that race and was all over the place but after a couple of races in I felt better and more comfortable on the back.

“It was a steady start for me.

“We’ve only had one session before today, so we were coming into the unknown a little but we’re happy being six points down.”

Ellis, who featured for Team GB U21s during the early part of his career, added a smooth Abbey Stadium track will help the Robins’ cause as they look to make a winning start to their home campaign.

He added: “The Abbey track was good considering the rain we had. It was pretty slick but that’s perfect for our first time back on the bike.

“It’s easy to ride and easy to set the bikes up for the season.

“It was really smooth, a lot smoother than last year so I’m looking forward to Thursday.

“We know Belle Vue have been practising a lot, we haven’t had as much time on the bike as we wanted. But that’s the way it goes.

“It’s a solid start for us, I’m sure we’ll come back strong tonight.”

Swindon boss Alun Rossiter added: “We’re certainly capable of pulling the six points back, but its not going to be easy because Belle Vue have done plenty of damage here over recent years.

“Despite them losing (Kenneth) Bjerre over the winter they look to be very powerful once again, and I expect it to be a close contest on aggregate.

“It’s an excellent home opener for us, and the track was in superb condition for press and practice last week. I haven’t seen it so good in years, so all the boys are looking forward to getting out there and racing on Thursday.”

Both sides are unchanged from the first leg, which means a home debut for new Robins reserve Mitchell Davey, whilst Troy Batchelor returns to the Abbey as a home rider after his season-and-a-half with King’s Lynn.

SWINDON: Nick Morris, Adam Ellis, Troy Batchelor, David Bellego, Tobiasz Musielak, Zach Wajtknecht, Mitchell Davey.

BELLE VUE: Craig Cook, Steve Worrall, Damian Drozdz, Rohan Tungate, Max Fricke, Jye Etheridge, Dan Bewley.