Sixmilebridge Too Far For Derryhassen Paddy At Ayr

Sixmilebridge made an 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 might have lacked runners, however it constantly guaranteed to be an appealing affair with Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore's Albert Bartlett 3rd 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 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 stages of the home straight.


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 gifted chasing possibility.


O'Brien stated: "He got the job done, I suppose I was a bit dissatisfied with his leaping as he's been extremely great in the house, but he beat a really great horse in Lucinda's horse, so you need to be really happy with him.


"A great deal of credit goes to Max Kendrick who trips him in the house 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 great start to going 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 go up to three miles and the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.


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


"We haven't made too many plans 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 strategy of where to go next.


"I believe 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 declared the Coral Novices' Hurdle at odds of 25-1.