Sixmilebridge Too Far For Derryhassen Paddy At Ayr

Sixmilebridge made an effective chasing introduction in what ended up being an enthralling three-runner contest at Ayr on Wednesday.


The Play Coral "Racing-Super-Series" "Chasing Excellence" Beginners' Chase may have been brief of runners, however it always promised to be an interesting affair with and Michael Scudamore's Albert Bartlett 3rd Derryhassen Paddy (5-6 preferred) 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 lots of drama, all three looked likely at numerous stages of the home straight.


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


O'Brien stated: "He finished the job, I expect I was a little bit dissatisfied with his leaping as he's been great in the house, but he beat an excellent horse in Lucinda's horse, so you have to be extremely delighted with him.


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


Sixmilebridge made a fine 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 relocation up to 3 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 besides to try to get today out of the method first," continued O'Brien.


"I'll speak with 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 journey or drop back in journey if you wished to. Kielan stated his last four dives were his finest 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 odds of 25-1.