Sixmilebridge Too Far For Derryhassen Paddy At Ayr

Sixmilebridge made a successful chasing introduction in what became an enthralling three-runner contest at Ayr on Wednesday.


The Play Coral "Racing-Super-Series" "Chasing Excellence" Beginners' Chase may have been short of runners, however it always promised to be an intriguing affair with Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore's Albert Bartlett third 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 lotion and in a race which supplied lots of drama, all three looked likely at different phases of the home directly.


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


O'Brien said: "He finished the job, I expect I was a bit disappointed with his leaping as he's been extremely excellent in your home, however he beat a great horse in Lucinda's horse, so you need to be extremely pleased with him.


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


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


However, O'Brien is open over which trip he might eventually wind up plying his trade.


"We have not made a lot of strategies other than to try to get today out of the way first," continued O'Brien.


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


"I think he might do either, go up in journey or hang back in trip if you wanted to. Kielan stated his last 4 jumps were his best 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 chances of 25-1.