Sixmilebridge Too Far For Derryhassen Paddy At Ayr

Sixmilebridge made a successful chasing introduction in what became an enthralling three-runner contest at Ayr on Wednesday.


The Play Coral "Racing-Super-Series" "Chasing Excellence" Beginners' Chase may have been short of runners, but it always promised to be an intriguing affair with Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore's Albert Bartlett third Derryhassen Paddy (5-6 preferred) handling 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 ointment and in a race which offered lots of drama, all three looked likely at different phases of the home directly.


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


O'Brien said: "He finished the job, I suppose I was a little bit disappointed with his leaping as he's been excellent in the house, but he beat an extremely good horse in Lucinda's horse, so you need to be really delighted with him.


"A lot of credit goes to Max Kendrick who rides him in your 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 great start to chasing at Ayr (Bradley Collyer/PA)


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


However, O'Brien is open over which trip he could ultimately end up plying his trade.


"We have not made too many plans other than to attempt 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 try make a plan of where to go next.


"I think he might do either, increase in trip or hang back in journey if you wished to. Kielan said his last four jumps were his finest 4 jumps 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.