Sixmilebridge Too Far For Derryhassen Paddy At Ayr

Sixmilebridge made a successful chasing intro in what ended up being a fascinating three-runner contest at Ayr on Wednesday.


The Play Coral "Racing-Super-Series" "Chasing Excellence" Beginners' Chase may have lacked runners, but it constantly guaranteed to be an interesting affair with Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore's Albert Bartlett third Derryhassen Paddy (5-6 preferred) 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 3 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 journey to Scotland with their gifted chasing prospect.


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


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


Sixmilebridge made a great 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 3 miles and the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.


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


"We haven't made a lot of strategies other than to attempt to get today out of the method initially," 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 could do either, increase in journey or hang back in trip if you wished to. Kielan stated his last four jumps were his best 4 jumps when he was going a bit quicker."


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