Sixmilebridge Too Far For Derryhassen Paddy At Ayr

Sixmilebridge made an effective chasing intro in what became an enthralling three-runner contest at Ayr on Wednesday.


The Play Coral "Racing-Super-Series" "Chasing Excellence" Beginners' Chase may have lacked runners, but it constantly promised to be an appealing affair with Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore's Albert Bartlett 3rd Derryhassen Paddy (5-6 preferred) handling Fergal O'Brien's Grade Two-winning hurdler.


Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero's Guy (13-2) made a good fist of being the fly in the lotion and in a race which provided lots of drama, all 3 looked likely at numerous stages of the home directly.


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


O'Brien stated: "He finished the job, I expect I was a bit disappointed with his leaping as he's been great in your home, but he beat an excellent horse in Lucinda's horse, so you need to be extremely delighted with him.


"A lot of credit goes to Max Kendrick who rides him in the house and he's not a simple horse in the house. It's great to get the job done and a win under his belt."


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


This success came over 2 and a half miles and Sixmilebridge was made 33-1 from 66s by Paddy Power for a relocation up to three miles and the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.


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


"We haven't made too many strategies besides to attempt to get today out of the way initially," continued O'Brien.


"I'll talk 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, go up in trip or hang back in journey if you wished to. Kielan stated his last four jumps were his best four dives when he was going a bit quicker."


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