Sixmilebridge Too Far For Derryhassen Paddy At Ayr

Sixmilebridge made a successful chasing intro in what ended up being an enthralling three-runner contest at Ayr on Wednesday.


The Play Coral "Racing-Super-Series" "Chasing Excellence" Beginners' Chase might have been short of runners, however it always promised 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 Guy (13-2) made a good fist of being the fly in the lotion and in a race which offered plenty of drama, all 3 looked likely at numerous stages of the home straight.


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


O'Brien said: "He got the job done, I suppose I was a little bit dissatisfied with his leaping as he's been very great in the house, however he beat a really great horse in Lucinda's horse, so you have to be really delighted with him.


"A great deal of credit goes to Max Kendrick who rides him in the house and he's not an easy horse in your home. It's nice 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 victory came by 2 and a half miles and Sixmilebridge was made 33-1 from 66s by Paddy Power for a move up to 3 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 haven't made a lot of plans besides to try to get today out of the way initially," continued O'Brien.


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


"I think he might do either, go up in trip or drop back in journey if you desired to. Kielan said his last 4 jumps 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 chances of 25-1.