Sixmilebridge Too Far For Derryhassen Paddy At Ayr

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


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


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


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


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


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


This success came by 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 journey he might ultimately wind up plying his trade.


"We have not made too many strategies other than to try to get today out of the method first," continued O'Brien.


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


"I think he might do either, increase in journey or drop back in trip if you wished to. Kielan stated his last four dives 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 declared the Coral Novices' Hurdle at odds of 25-1.