Sixmilebridge Too Far For Derryhassen Paddy At Ayr

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


The Play Coral "Racing-Super-Series" "Chasing Excellence" Beginners' Chase may have lacked runners, however it always guaranteed to be an intriguing affair 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 ointment and in a race which supplied lots of drama, all 3 looked likely at different phases of the home .


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


O'Brien said: "He got the job done, I expect I was a little bit disappointed with his leaping as he's been very good in your home, but he beat a great horse in Lucinda's horse, so you need to be extremely happy with him.


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


Sixmilebridge made a fine start to chasing after 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 might eventually wind up plying his trade.


"We have not made too many plans besides to try to get today out of the way first," continued O'Brien.


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


"I think he might do either, increase in journey or hang back in journey if you wished to. Kielan said his last four jumps were his finest four dives when he was going a bit quicker."


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