Sixmilebridge Too Far For Derryhassen Paddy At Ayr

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


The Play Coral "Racing-Super-Series" "Chasing Excellence" Beginners' Chase might have been brief of runners, however it constantly guaranteed to be an intriguing affair with Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore's Albert Bartlett third Derryhassen Paddy (5-6 preferred) Fergal O'Brien's Grade Two-winning hurdler.


Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero's Gamesters Guy (13-2) made a great fist of being the fly in the lotion and in a race which supplied a lot of drama, all three looked likely at numerous phases 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 trip to Scotland with their talented chasing prospect.


O'Brien stated: "He did the job, I expect I was a little bit disappointed with his leaping as he's been great in your home, however he beat a great horse in Lucinda's horse, so you have to be extremely happy with him.


"A lot of credit goes to Max Kendrick who rides him at home and he's not an easy horse at home. It's nice to finish the job and a win under his belt."


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


This victory came by 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 trip he could eventually end up plying his trade.


"We have not made a lot of strategies other than to attempt to get today out of the way initially," 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 might do either, go up in journey or drop back in trip if you desired to. Kielan said his last four jumps were his finest 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.