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 been short of runners, but it constantly promised 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 a good fist of being the fly in the ointment and in a race which provided lots of drama, all 3 looked likely at various stages of the home straight.


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


O'Brien said: "He did the job, I suppose I was a little bit disappointed with his jumping as he's been extremely great in the house, however he beat a very good horse in Lucinda's horse, so you have to be extremely pleased with him.


"A lot of credit goes to Max Kendrick who rides him at home and he's not a simple horse in the house. It's good to get the task done 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 relocation 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 end up plying his trade.


"We have not made a lot of plans other than to try 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 attempt make a plan of where to go next.


"I believe he might do either, go up in journey or hang back in journey if you desired to. Kielan said his last 4 jumps were his finest four dives when he was going a bit quicker."


O'Brien and Woods quickly doubled up on the card when Stop Loss declared the Hurdle at odds of 25-1.