Sixmilebridge Too Far For Derryhassen Paddy At Ayr

Sixmilebridge made an effective 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 may have lacked runners, but it constantly assured to be an appealing affair with Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore's Albert 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 offered a lot of drama, all 3 looked likely at numerous stages 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 trip to Scotland with their talented chasing prospect.


O'Brien stated: "He did the job, I suppose I was a little bit dissatisfied with his leaping as he's been very excellent in the house, but he beat an extremely good horse in Lucinda's horse, so you need to be extremely happy with him.


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


Sixmilebridge made a great start to chasing 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 relocation up to three miles and the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.


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


"We haven't made too lots of plans aside from to try 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 plan of where to go next.


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


O'Brien and Woods rapidly doubled up on the card when Stop Loss claimed the Coral Novices' Hurdle at odds of 25-1.