Sixmilebridge Too Far For Derryhassen Paddy At Ayr

Sixmilebridge made an effective chasing introduction in what ended up being an enthralling three-runner contest at Ayr on Wednesday.


The Play Coral "Racing-Super-Series" "Chasing Excellence" Beginners' Chase might have lacked runners, but it constantly guaranteed to be an with Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore's Albert Bartlett third Derryhassen Paddy (5-6 favourite) taking on Fergal O'Brien's Grade Two-winning hurdler.


Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero's Gamesters Guy (13-2) made an excellent fist of being the fly in the lotion and in a race which supplied plenty of drama, all three looked likely at various phases of the home straight.


Ultimately it was 6-4 chance Sixmilebridge who proved the most sure-footed when it mattered most to reward connections' long journey to Scotland with their gifted chasing prospect.


O'Brien said: "He did the job, I suppose I was a bit disappointed with his leaping as he's been extremely great in the house, however he beat an extremely great horse in Lucinda's horse, so you have to be really delighted with him.


"A great deal of credit goes to Max Kendrick who trips him at home and he's not a simple horse in the house. It's good to do the job and a win under his belt."


Sixmilebridge made a fine start to chasing after at Ayr (Bradley Collyer/PA)


This success came over two and a half miles and Sixmilebridge was made 33-1 from 66s by Paddy Power for a move up to three miles and the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.


However, O'Brien is open over which journey he might eventually end up plying his trade.


"We haven't made a lot of strategies other than to try to get today out of the way first," continued O'Brien.


"I'll speak to Kielan (Woods, jockey) and Mr and Mrs Megson (owners) and attempt make a plan of where to go next.


"I believe he could do either, go up in journey or hang back in trip if you wished to. Kielan stated his last 4 dives were his best four dives when he was going a bit quicker."


O'Brien and Woods quickly doubled up on the card when Stop Loss declared the Coral Novices' Hurdle at odds of 25-1.