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 might have lacked runners, however it always assured to be an intriguing affair with Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore's Albert Bartlett 3rd 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 of the home directly.


Ultimately it was 6-4 opportunity Sixmilebridge who proved 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 task done, I expect I was a bit dissatisfied with his leaping as he's been great in the house, however he beat a really good 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 in your home and he's not a simple horse in your home. It's great to do the job and a win under his belt."


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


This triumph 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 could eventually end up plying his trade.


"We have not made a lot of plans aside from to try to get today out of the method first," continued O'Brien.


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


"I believe he might do either, go up in trip or hang back in trip if you wanted to. Kielan stated his last 4 dives were his best 4 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.